John "Jack" Marko

John "Jack" Marko, age 92, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at Riverfront Manor in Pelican Rapids.John "Jack" Theodore Marko was born January 22, 1923 in Westport, SD to Louis and Agnes (Hopfer) Marko. Jack worked on the family farm until 1935 when he moved to Wilmot, SD. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944-1946. During his military career he worked as a machinist's mate on the USS Bataan and was part of the first occupation that landed in Tokyo.In July of 1946 Jack was united in marriage to Maxine Kirkup in Revillo, SD. After their marriage they moved to Willmar, MN where he worked as an auto body technician. In 1947 they moved back to Wilmot, SD and worked as an auto body technician and as a city police officer. He also served as a manager of the Farmers Union Co-Op in Wilmot, SD. After managing the Co-Op he began to farm near Wilmot and moved to Arlington, SD in 1973. In 1977 moved to a farm near Bristol, SD. Maxine died in March of 1983. Jack continued to farm until his retirement in 1987. In December of 1983 Jack married Judith Albright and later made their home in Pelican Rapids. Jack worked with upholstery and woodcrafts. He will be remembered for being a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the USS Bataan Association and enjoyed attending their reunions.Jack is survived by his wife, Judith, Pelican Rapids, MN; children: Pamela Hobbs and (fianc Bobby Raaen) , Sioux Falls, SD, Mary Jane (Terry) Foster, Waverly, SD, Danny Marko, Sioux Falls, SD, Anna Marie (Clair) Sibson, Beardsley, MN, John Paul (Toni) Marko, Madison, SD, Eileen Piehl, Aberdeen, SD, Kent ( Monica) Marko, Watertown, SD and Pauline Marko, Aurora, SD; 17 grandchildren: 34 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law: Larry (Ardyce) Albright, Underwood, MN, Dennis (Kay) Albright, Pelican Rapids, MN, Thomas Albright, Phoenix, AZ, Chuck (Nanette) Albright, Pelican Rapids, MN; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.He is preceded in death by his wife Maxine, son Larry, siblings: Rose, William, Frank, Ann, Kate, Marie, Theresa, Louis, Hardwig, Celia, Henry, Margaret, Helen, Bertha, Clarence, Edward, Josephine, Bernice and Caroline, great-granddaughter Heather Kolb, sons-in-law: Don Hobbs and Jeff Johnson; sisters-in-law: Kathleen Temple, Muriel McFarland and Marlys Susa; brother-in-law James Albright.Visitation: Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.Funeral Mass: 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wilmot, South Dakota.Clergy: Father Gary DeRoucheyBurial: St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery, Wilmot, South DakotaFuneral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572