Jerry L. Markham

Jerry Lee Markham (81), of Wykoff MN, passed away on November 2, 2023 in Ostrander MN.  Jerry was born to Donald and Adeline (Affeldt) Markham on October 17, 1942 in Austin MN.  He was baptized, confirmed, and a life long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wykoff where over the years he was active with the Luther League, Sunday School, and Church counsel.  At age 7 Jerry contracted Polio and spent 11 weeks in the Hospital with an additional 10 years of physical therapy.  He attended the Mulhern Country School where he was the only first and second grader and then Fillmore Country School for grades 3-6.  Jerry often rode his horse to country school. In 1960 he graduated from Wykoff Public School where he played basketball, football, and track and field.  After high school he attended Luther College in Decorah IA graduating in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Science and Physical Education.  He also earned a Letter competing in track and field for the college.

Jerry taught high school science classes in Ruthven, IA for 3 years and then 31 years in Riceville, IA. After retiring from teaching in Iowa, he went on to teach an additional 3 years at Kingsland highschool in Spring Valley followed by 15 years of substitute teaching in the Rochester, MN school districts. He spent many of his years at Riceville coaching various men and women’s sports.  

On August 4th, 1973 he married Arlys Lane at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, IA.  They made their home on Jerry’s family farm in rural Wykoff where they were blessed with 3 sons; Chris, Shawn, and Ryan.  Jerry had a love of horses getting his first at the age 5.  He remained a horseman and a cowboy his entire life competing in rodeos and horse shows in his younger years.  One of his greatest joys was sharing his love of horses with his sons and teaching them the cowboy ways.  Many weekends were spent camping and horse trail riding throughout the state of MN.  He valued nothing above time with his family.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 50 years, sons Chris (Angie), Shawn (Becky), Ryan (Sydney), 5 grandchildren, sister Sheila (Fran) and many other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, brother-in-law, and a niece.

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