Richard "Dick" A. Marking

Richard “Dick” A. Marking, 87 passed on May 23, 2023, at Mayo Hospital La Crosse surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 3, 1935 in La Crosse County, WI to Edmund and Laura (Staff) Marking. He attended and graduated from West Salem High School in 1953. Upon graduation he continued working on the family farm until he transitioned to becoming a livestock buyer for Armour in New Hampton and New Albin, Iowa.  In 1966, Dick moved the family to St. Louis, MO where he began a long career in sales of large construction and farming equipment. Dick returned after more than a decade to his old stomping grounds in the La Crosse County area. After an array of business ventures, he settled in with a sales career with Wehr’s Chevrolet selling Featherlite trailers and local inventory.  He eventually retired at the age of 84 from Wehr’s Chevrolet.

Dick was a great historian. He was able to share family history dating back generations and knew the history of most farms in La Crosse County. He had a love for car racing from local stock cars to NASCAR tracks across the country.

Dick married JoAnn Lucey in 1956 in La Crosse, WI. He met her through his love of dancing and his time spent at The Avalon. Dick and JoAnn subsequently had four daughters during the time they were married. Through this union there are eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dick loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would likely show you one of the thousands of pictures of them he took on his iPad.

Dick is survived by three daughters, Jayne Marking-Crane (Melissa) of St. Louis, MO, Laura Davis (Kim) of Coralville, IA, and Barbara Steiner (Daniel-Decd) of Burnet, TX; grandchildren, Brian Davis (Heather - Decd), Katherine Davis, Karin Young (Spencer), Elizabeth Chew (Dustin), Lisa Parker (Chris), Michael Brumback, Thomas Steiner, and Andrew Steiner; great-grandchildren, Margaret (Young), Alan (Young), and James (Parker), and many nieces and nephews.

Dick is also survived by long time Significant Other, Kathryn Beane; her daughter, Kimberly Wadwitz (Jeff) and granddaughters Daniella Gatica, and Katarina Gatica.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Brumback; his parents, Edmund and Laura Marking; four siblings: Edmund Marking, Lois Willinger (Don), Barbara Willinger (Bill), and Geneva Marking.

The family would like to express their gratitude to John and Tina Willinger, Patricia Perryman, and all those in his social circle who enhanced his daily life.

Dick very much enjoyed serving others, especially elderly friends and acquaintances through visitation in healthcare facilities, breakfast, lunches, and dinners along with running errands for those who needed. Dick was proud of his Norwegian heritage and proudly served as a member of the local Sons of Norway Chapter.  In honor of Dick, the family asks that you choose to carry on his tradition by helping someone who is in need that could use a friend, a breakfast, a lunch, a dinner or just some good conversation.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem, WI from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. An additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with refreshments to follow. The family will have a private internment.