Hamilton County

Sgt. Bernice Ray ‘Red’ Markwardt, Jr

 

 

 

Bernice Ray ‘Red’ Markwardt, Jr. was born Nov. 19, 1921 to Bernice Ray (Sr.) and Susan (Susie) Jones Markwardt. He died Nov. 5, 1997 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.

Sgt. Markwardt served with the U.S. Army in World War II with the Signal Corps in the European Theatre of Action.

His Obituary: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Nov. 7, 1997

Bernice “Red” Markwardt, 75, Webster City, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1997 at the Hamilton Hospital. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ, with Pastor Ray Artrip officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 191. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral Home from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and until 12 p.m. Saturday, when the casket will be taken to the church.

Bernie Ray Markwardt, Jr., son of Bernice and Susie (Jones) Markwardt, was born Nov. 19, 1921 at Northrup, Minn. At the age of 12 he moved with his parents to Eagle Grove, then later to Woolstock and Webster City. He graduated from Webster City High School in 1939 and from Webster City Junior College in 1941. He worked for Montgomery Ward for a year. On Nov. 2, 1941, he married Clarice Cole at Webster City, the couple resided in Webster City. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army - Signal Corps in the European Theatre of Action. Following his discharge, he returned to Webster City and joined his father in the operation of the Markwardt Deep Rock Service Station. He sold the property in 1979. He worked at Christeson Motors and in the Webster City school system, retiring in 1987. The couple had also owned and operated the Mid-Town Motel from 1955 to 1963. They moved to their present address in 1977.

He is survived by his wife; daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and Don Nokes, Webster City and Bonnie and Dan McCausland, Waunakee, Wis.; sons and daughter-in-law, Steve Markwardt, Iowa Falls, Merle and Teresa Markwardt, Milford and Kenneth Markwardt, Webster City; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Eleanor Ford, Albuquerque, N.M.; two nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Markwardt was a member of the Church of Christ and had served as a trustee for several years. He also was a member of American Legion Post 191 and Disabled American Veterans.

Source: ancestry.com