Thomas W. Markwardt, age 82, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away at his home on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, surrounded by family.

Tom was born in 1942 to Roy and Hattie Markwardt in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. When he was nine the family moved to Midway, halfway between Grand Rapids and Coleraine. Tom graduated from Greenway High School and Itasca Junior College.

In 1963, Tom married Sandra Eilertson and together they raised their son, Eric, along with many Arabian show horses, cats, and dogs.

Tom worked a few miscellaneous jobs before starting his 35-year career as a coater operator/ pipefitter welder with the Blandin Paper Company.  After his retirement in 1998, he married Becky in 2000, and to play on his sense of adventure, he drove new and interesting roads for local car dealerships. He later spent several years as a bus driver for ISD 318 in Grand Rapids. He thoroughly enjoyed his "kids" and always hoped to be a positive influence as their day started.

Tom was an avid golfer, enjoyed hunting pheasants, fishing, and along with his wife Becky, crafted and attended many art/craft shows. He was proud to say that he helped build seven houses and crafted most of the furniture in his current home. Tom was a kind and humble man, who gave great hugs, loved his family, especially his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his grand puppies.

During his lifetime, he had been a member of the Itasca Sunset Saddle Club, Itasca County Fair board, and the Pokegama Golf Club. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob; and sister, Myrna. Tom is survived by his wife of 24 years, Becky; children, Eric (Heather) Markwardt of Prescott, WI; James King of Cocoa, FL; Tiffany (Ben) Hokanson of Zimmerman, MN; sisters, Jan Cogswell of Crystal, MN; and Mary Markwardt of Brooklyn Center, MN; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2024, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church beginning at 1:00 PM followed by the 2:00 PM memorial service and a time of sharing beginning at 3:00 PM. Rev. Amy Teske will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent in Tom's name to Essentia Health Itasca Hospice, 115 NE 10th Ave., Deer River, MN.