Norita Mark

Norita Constance Mark, 73, a resident of Dalton, died Monday, December 22, 2008, at MeritCare in Fargo.  She was born June 9, 1935, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of Chester and Norma (Bergerud) Swendsrud. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dalton. She grew up in Tumuli Township, rural Fergus Falls, attending country school. In 1953 she graduated from Fergus Falls High School. Her mother died in 1947, and Chester later married Selma “Sally” Rian. Over the years she did many things, including being a farm wife and homemaker, working at the Ashby School District, and at the Ashby Nursing Home and the Broen Home.  On November 24, 1984, she and Floyd Mark were married at Trinity Church in Ashby, and they have made their home in Tordenskjold Township since. Norita loved to quilt and along with her husband enjoyed gardening. She was especially fond of spending time with her children and grandchildren. She belonged to the Tordenskjold Free Lutheran Church, serving as the congregational secretary, and also participating in Ladies Aid. Preceding her in death were her parents, Norma and Chester, a stepson, Steven Mark, and a great-grandson, Bryce Lanoue. Survivors include her husband, Floyd of Dalton; her stepmother, Sally Swendsrud of Fergus Falls; six children: Denise (Dick) Grefe of Ottertail, Lauri (Jim) Hanson of Battle Lake, Daniel (Kim) Madson of Hawley, Craig (Betsy) Madson of Edina, Dean (Sherri) Sonmor of Dalton, Bill (Becky) Sonmor of Dalton; seven stepchildren: Vicki (Virgil) Evavold of Fergus Falls, Linda Rostad of Fergus Falls, Sharon Mark of Underwood, Sue (Mark) Moore of Fergus Falls, Debbie (Brad) Odegard of Fargo, Mike (Tammy) Mark of Dalton, and Matthew (Christy) Mark of Dalton; 38 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; her siblings: Harriet (Norman) Fjestad of Fergus Falls, Don (Joyce) Swendsrud of Monticello, Gloria Brown of Fargo, David Swendsrud of Hugo, MN, and Jerry (Ruth) Swendsrud of Fergus Falls; and a number of nieces and nephews. Visitation:   2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 with a 3:30 p.m. prayer service at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service:  1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 at Zion-Sarpsborg Lutheran Church, Dalton Clergy: Reverend Steve Carlson and Pastor Mark Johnson Interment: Tordenskjold Cemetery, rural Dalton Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com