Mark Anthony Walsh

Mark A. Walsh age 97, of Alexandria died on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Knute Nelson Gables.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Fr. Steve Binsfeld presiding. Entombment will take place at the church cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., on Monday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mark Anthony was born on April 16, 1926, to William and Ellen (O’Brien) Walsh in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the catholic faith. He grew up in Armour, South Dakota and his family moved to Minnesota when he was a teenager. Mark graduated from Central High School in Alexandria. He was drafted and served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1946, where he trained at the Great Lakes Naval Center and served on the Destroyer, USS Sarsfield. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Hudson Township where he and his brother James purchased land and began farming together. Mark was united in marriage to Barbara Pauly on January 16, 1951, at Church of St. Mary. Following their marriage, they were blessed with six children and lived and worked on the family farm. In 1981, his son, David took over the family farm and Mark and Barb moved the family to a nearby homestead, where he farmed until retiring in 1988. His wife Barbara died on August 16, 1999, and he then moved into Alexandria. He was united in marriage to Corrine Becker on November 16, 2005. He was a member of Church of St. Mary, Knights of Columbus, National Farmers Organization, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, VFW Post # 936, and served on the Alexandria District #206 School Board as Chairman. Mark enjoyed gardening, dancing, golfing, reading, puzzles, and crosswords.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Barbara; son, Steven; granddaughter, Courtney Walsh; brothers, James, Bob, and Tom; and sister, Genevieve Krebs.

Mark is survived by his wife of 17 years, Corrine; five children, Tim (Debbie) Walsh of South Carolina, David (Kim) Walsh of Alexandria, Susan (Nate Milazzo) Walsh of Nelson, Annita (Jerry Rasmussen) Walsh of Custer, South Dakota, and Don (Laura) Walsh of Stillwater; stepchildren, Deb (David) Martinson of Sturgis, South Dakota, Doug (friend, Nancy Willes) Becker of Thief River Falls, and Carol (Rick) Dau of Alexandria; two sisters, Katherine Bruzek of Alexandria and Ann (Jim) Determan of Blaine; two brothers, Roland (Clara Jane) Walsh of Osakis and John Walsh of Parkers Prairie; 10 grandchildren, Rachel (Ty) Peterson, Nicole (fiancé, Ben Gustafson) Walsh, Tiffany Walsh, Matt (Becky) Walsh, Jayna Brede, David Schlosser, Maria (Will) Richards, Alexandra Walsh, Sabrina Walsh, and Devin Walsh; 13 great-grandchildren; five step grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are his sons and grandsons.