Mark Joseph Motis

Mark J. Motis, 87 of Devils Lake formerly of Minnewaukan and Hankinson, ND passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. 

Funeral Services for Mark will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND with Masonic Rites. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team-Marine Corp. Burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Hankinson, ND on Saturday afternoon, August 10^th .

Mark Joseph Motis was born on August 27, 1931 in Hankinson, ND the son of Steven and Clara (Gereskze) Motis.  He was reared and educated in Hankinson, graduating from St. Francis Academy.  He furthered his education at Valley City State Teacher’s College where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education and later earned his Master’s Degree from University of North Dakota.  

Mark’s college days would be interrupted by the call to serve his country with the United States Marine Corp.  He entered the service on May 21, 1952 and served during the Korean Conflict stateside and also in Korea. He was honorably discharged from active duty on May 20, 1954 with the rank of PFC. 

Mark was united in marriage to Shirley Mae Coppin in 1957 and they were the proud parents of four children Charles, Beth, Clarissa and Kristie.  Shirley died in 1977.

Mark taught in several locations including Hampden and Mayville, ND, Koror, Palau Island, Wake Island in the Pacific, Belcourt and Fort Totten, ND.  Before his retirement from teaching in 1982, Mark served as an Elementary Principal for seven years. After retirement, Mark was an insurance agent for Horace Mann.   

In his later years, Mark would make Minnewaukan and Devils Lake his home.  He was blessed to have many years of companionship with Mary Miller until her passing and was blessed to once again find love and was united in marriage to Adelene Turkula on October 18, 2013. 

Mark was always active in his community, several service and sports organizations.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tinkering with cars and singing.  He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge #21 and in June of 2019 Mark was unanimously elected Honorary Grand MAster of the State of North Dakota.  He also enjoyed membership in the Eagles, Elks, VFW and Minnewaukan American Legion Post #86.  He was a supporter of Lake Region Anglers, Lake Region Sportsman and the NRA.  He also gave his time and talent to the Odd Fellows, Rebekah and Eastern Star.  

Mark valued his relationships with family and friends.  His home was always open and he enjoyed hosting all who visited.  

Mark is survived by his wife Adelene; son Charles (Kim) Motis, Bismarck, ND; daughters Beth Motis of Northglenn, CO, Clarissa Barker, Longmont, CO and Kristie (Philip) Fehrenbacher, Buda, TX; grandchildren Kari and Zach Motis, Jennifer, Susan and Daniel Levy, Ben, Christopher and Lucas Barker and Kennedy and Madelyn Fehrenbacher; sisters-in-law Arlene Motis and Darlene Motis; and several nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Shirley; grandson Nicholas Barker; sisters Agnes Mackove, Aquelia Jaeger, Margaret Hinrichs; and brothers William, John, Luke and Allan Motis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Minnewaukan American Legion Post #86 or Devils Lake Masonic Lodge #21.