Merle L. MARKWARDT

MARKWARDT, SOUTHARD, NOKES, MCCAUSLAND

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/30/2006 at 14:06:20

Merle L. Markwardt, 50, of Milford, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at the Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 2, at 2:00 p.m., at the Okoboji High School in Milford.

Merle Markwardt was born on July 6, 1955 in Webster City. He attended the Webster City Schools K-12. He attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Graceland College in Lamoni, where he received his teaching endorsement. He taught in Wymore, Nebraska for two years, 22 years at Okoboji, and one year at Emmetsburg. He received his Masters Degree of Education in April 2006. Over the years, Merle has taught business courses, driver's education, and coached wrestling, baseball and track. Merle was manager at the Boji Bay Water Park and was a supervisor at Arnold's Park Amusement Park. He was actively involved in his church, Spirit Life Fellowship, in Spirit Lake, where he was a board member and church treasurer for many years.

Merle is survived by his wife, Teresa (Southard) Markwardt (daughter of Leslie and Shirley Southard of Clarion); and five sons, Marty and wife, Janette, Levi and wife, Moriah, Brett and wife, Amee, Josiah and Cameron; four grandchildren; several nieces and nephew; mother, Clarice Markwardt; two sisters, Pat Nokes and Bonnie McCausland; and two brothers, Steve and Ken Markwardt. He was preceded in death his father, Bernie Markwardt.

June 8, 2006
© Wright County Monitor 2006