Floyd Mark, 90, a lifelong resident of rural Dalton, died Wednesday, February 20, 2019, peacefully at his home surrounded by family.
Floyd was born on February 12, 1929, at home in rural Dalton, to Cornelius and Koosje (deBloois) Mark. He was baptized on the family farm, along with his sister Marie, and confirmed at Tordenskjold Lutheran Church in Underwood. Floyd attended District 20 through the 8th grade and later obtained his GED. Floyd served in the Army and was stationed in Hawaii.
In 1951, Floyd married Constance (Rose) Mark and they were blessed with seven children. They resided on the family dairy farm north of Dalton. Much of his career involved road construction and working for Mark Sand and Gravel, McGary Brothers and Johnson Brothers. In 1984, he married Norita Sonmor and welcomed her son, Bill, into their home. They enjoyed 24 years of marriage before her passing in 2008.
Floyd enjoyed a hard day’s work, witching for water, teaching the youngsters how to make homemade butter in his butter churn, overlooking Joten Lake, playing the accordion, watching/feeding the birds, raising baby chicks for Easter, sharing his Schwann’s ice cream treats and Juicy Fruit gum, listening to athletic games on the radio, watching “Polka Spotlight”, hearing of his children and grandchildren’s successes, and always lending a helping hand to those in need. Floyd served on the Tordenskjold Town Board for 27 years. He was a lifetime member of the Tordenskjold Free Lutheran Church and served as sexton for the church cemetery. His knowledge and wisdom were sought out, even after he no longer held that position.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steve Mark; son-in-law, Mark Moore; great-grandchildren, Bryce Lanoue and Lane Evavold; siblings, John, Martin, Huberdina, and Henry Mark, Nellie (Art) Larson, Bessie (Clifford) Swendsrud, Corie (Hjalmer) Pederson; brother-in-law, Biff Leitch.
He will be dearly missed by his children, Vicki (Virgil) Evavold of Fergus Falls, Linda Rostad of Fergus Falls, Sharon Mark of Underwood, Sue Moore of Fergus Falls, Debbie (Brad) Odegard of Fargo, ND, Mike (Tammy) Mark of Dalton, and Matthew (Christy) Mark of Fergus Falls; sister, Marie (Dennis) Priebnow of Underwood; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; Norita’s children and their families; numerous “adopted” grandchildren and his “home schooled” German Shepherd girl, Jackie.
Floyd served Jesus by loving others. He will always be remembered for his wisdom, that whatever the circumstance, “we have a lot to be thankful for” and “just keep smiling”.
The family would like to thank the Fergus Falls VA Clinic, New Dimensions Home Care and LB Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to Floyd.
Visitation: 5:00 -7:00 PM, Friday, February 22, 2019, at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church, Dalton, MN
Clergy: Reverends Mark Johnson and Dan Hurner
Interment: Tordenskjold Cemetery, rural Dalton.
Military Participation: Fergus Falls V.F.W. Post 612
and American Legion #30
Arrangements are with the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to
www.OlsonFuneralHome.com