Ralph Marker

Ralph Marker, 84 of 1110 N. Fillmore, died Friday (April 16, 2004) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 N. Delaware with Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue and continue at the church Monday one hour before services. Memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa. Ralph was born January 8, 1920 in Mason City the son of John and Anna (Geist) Marker. He was baptized, confirmed and was a lifetime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Ralph served in the US Army during WW II in the medical corp. as well as the Civilian Conservation Corp. in Hampton and Guthrie Center for 2 years. Ralph married Bonnie J. Buckland October 23, 1942 in Glenview, Minnesota. He worked for Jacob B. Decker and Sons for many years retiring from Armour?s in 1974. Following retirement, Ralph worked at NIACC for 10 years. He was a member of the Lutheran Laymen?s League at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, church bowling league, enjoyed traveling and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. Ralph was a loving and wonderful father to Michael and Ann and devoted grandfather to Misty. His happy out going personality was a joy to family and friends. Ralph is survived by his wife, Bonnie J. Marker of Mason City; daughter, Ann Westin and husband Larry of Redding, CA; granddaughter, Misty Westin of Davis, CA; daughter-in-law, Susan Skille of Long Beach, CA; sisters, Frieda Parrott of Boulder, CO, Helen O?Harrow of Lake Oswega, OR, June Ballantyne of Clear Lake; brothers, James Marker and wife Melba of Northwood, Jacob ?Jake? Marker and wife Ann of Story, AR, Richard Marker and wife Marilyn of Springfield, MO; brother-in-laws, Ed Roggemann of Waterloo, Lynn ?Russell? Buckland and wife Elizabeth of West Des Moines, Gene Buckland and wife Patsy of Pontiac, IL; sister-in-laws, Darlene Buckland of Mason City, Elsie Hampton and husband Paul of Pharr, TX, Joan Sutcliffe and husband Richard of Horseshoe Bend, AR; numerous nieces, nephews, friends and special friend, Dr. J. Coddington. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael L. Marker; brothers, Robert, John, Henry and Timothy; sister, Betty Roggemann

Visitation:
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on April 18, 2004 (map/driving directions) 4:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on April 16, 2004 (map/driving directions)

Service:
2:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on April 19, 2004 (map/driving directions)