Marks, Stan

STAN MARKS, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, horseman and farmer,  made his journey home on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at the age of  91 years.

He is survived by Grace Marks, his wife of over 72 years; children Garry (Elly) Marks of Lomond, Delores (Pat) Honess of Lomond, Darlene (Ralph) Peckford of Lethbridge, Barb (Rob) Kusnir of Taber, Cindy (John) Steenbergen of Lethbridge and Helen Marks of Lethbridge as well as many grandchildren.

Stan was predeceased by his parents, brothers and sisters and many dear friends.

Stan accomplished many, many things in his life and had many loves and passions, but his three greatest were family, farming and horses. Stan married his childhood sweetheart, Grace on August 21, 1946. They were blessed with five children, ten grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Times were tough when they started their life together and money was scarce, but Stan did whatever was needed to provide for his family and get ahead. He was a hard worker, who farmed, ice fished, and drove school bus. Whatever he needed to do, he did, and had fun doing it. No friend or member of the family was ever safe from his practical jokes and dry sense of humour.  He was the dad every child dreamed of having. He loved to wrestle, sing, dance and laugh with his kids and took them on many adventures. He was the same with his grandchildren, driving miles to cheer them on at their sporting events.  His home was always filled to the brim with friends and family, love, respect, generosity and kindness. That's how he built it!

Another passion of his was horses. Stan absolutely loved horses from the moment he was introduced to them. He was a horse whisperer from the time that he was a very young boy. He could be seen riding across those old prairies atop a horse five times his size in a saddle that swallowed him up and stirrups that swung freely way below his little cowboy boots. He loved horses and horses loved him. Stan raced for over 60 years. He always talked about the many, many friends that he met along the way, whom he cherished all of his life. Stan Marks was a fine horseman and his many awards and trophies can attest to that.

He was also an admired farmer and cattleman. He started out with a few hundred dollars and built his own little farming empire. He treated his land, animals and environment with respect. His crops grew, his animals grew and his dream grew to be his reality. Even when things seemed impossible, he and Grace stood united and strong, moving forward one step at a time. He instilled in his children the importance of respect, honesty, tolerance, kindness, compassion, hard work, and laughter.

Stan would always say, "Back in those days, everybody cared about each other. We looked out for each other." But the truth be known, Stan never changed from "those days". He always cared deeply about his horses, his friends, his family and pretty much anyone needing a helping hand . Stan has impacted so many in such profound ways and that is why he will live on forever through them.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 - 15 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, February 25, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Terry Shillington officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 - 19 Street S, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 1W5.