Dennis Markwardt Obituary
Dennis Lee Markwardt, 82, passed away peacefully on August 29th at his home in Elida, New Mexico. A memorial at St Paul’s Lutheran Church near Makoti, North Dakota will be held at a later date.
Dennis was born in Spokane, Washington to Herbert and Genevieve (Frye) Markwardt. They moved to the family farm outside of Makoti, North Dakota in 1946. Dennis graduated from Makoti High School in 1959. He attended the University of North Dakota and joined the Air Force in 1962. He was honorably discharged in 1966.
In 1965 he was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was there he met his future wife, Patricia Alencastre. They were married in 1966. A job with TRW took them to Bellflower, California where they welcomed their sons Christopher and Herbert, and daughter Katherine. In 1973 they moved to New Town, ND where he was employed by Northrop Grumman. In 1976 they returned to the family farm outside of Makoti where they welcomed son Joseph and daughter Ruth.
Interested in computers after receiving training in the Air Force, Dennis eventually started his own small business, Martronics, where he helped many local businesses keep their networks up and running. Pat and Dennis moved from the farm to Minot in 1999 and retired to Elida, New Mexico in 2012.
Dennis was a man of many hobbies. He enjoyed singing with the Nodakords (a barbershop group from Minot, ND), the Bethany Lutheran church choir in Minot and the church choir at First United Methodist Church in Portales, NM. He would also randomly burst into songs of his own making in his daily life. He was an expert Pinochle player and enjoyed woodworking. He was an avid reader who kept a large library of books on various subjects and was a fan of science fiction, in particular. He read something every day and was rarely found without a book (or ten).
He may be remembered best, however, for his love of fishing on the Van Hook Arm of Lake Sakakawea near New Town, ND. He and Patricia maintained a seasonal residence in the Van Hook community since 1982. He knew all the good fishing spots in the area to catch “good eating sized” walleye and would tease everyone that if they caught one too big to eat, they would have to throw it back. His sense of humor was legendary amongst family and friends.
Blessed be his memory.
He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 58 years; his children, Christopher Markwardt (Sommer) of Fargo, North Dakota, Herbert Markwardt (Jennifer) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Katherine Barron (Steve) of Elida, New Mexico, Joseph Markwardt of Fargo, North Dakota, and Ruth Markwardt of Fort Lupton, Colorado. He is also survived by sisters Kay Stafslien (Jim, deceased) of Makoti, North Dakota, Mary Markwardt (Larry Pinnow) of Madison, Wisconsin, Judy Goldsberry of Bismarck, North Dakota, and 12 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to honor Dennis make a donation to the cancer related charity of their choice.
Many thanks to all those who have prayed for Dennis and the family. Arrangements were provided by Wheeler Mortuary in Portales. Online obituaries and guestbook are available at wheelermortuary.net.
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