To view Mark's Memorial Mass, please visit: https://www.holyfamilygf.org

Mark G. Ward, 63, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Thursday, September 7, 2023 at Woodside Village in Valley 4000 Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND, surrounded by loved ones.

Mark was born October 22, 1959 in Milbank, SD.  Mark lived in Revillo, SD, as the youngest of nine siblings, with his parents, Patricus (P.D.) and Marie Ward.  Mark began his formal education in 1966, at Grant-Deuel, in Revillo.  Mark and his family moved to Storm Lake, IA in 1968, and Mark continued his education there at Storm Lake Public School, where he was taught by Teacher Lorraine Peterson until he graduated from the Storm Lake Special Education Class in May of 1979.

After graduation, Mark spent a year working with other young adults, in a church basement, learning life skills.  Mark then began working at the Red Barn Work Activity Center, after the group later moved from the church basement to a building that became the Red Barn Work Activity Center.  The Red Barn was later changed to the Genesis Development Center, where Mark continued to work until he and his parents moved to Fergus Falls, MN in 1993.

In Fergus Falls, Mark worked at North Wind Decoys for many years, before then working at Productive Alternatives.  Fridays were known to be Mark's "off" days, but he was diligent in his chores around the house, helping his mom and dad keep the house nice and clean and tidy.  After Mark's parents both passed away, in 2002 and 2003, Mark continued to live in his home for a few more years, before taking a trip down to Tucson, AZ...a trip that turned into more than just a trip.  Mark decided to stay in Tucson and make the move to Arizona in early 2007, living with his sister Joann, and her husband Mark (known as 2Mark).

In 2019, Mark moved into Handmaker Assisted Living, in Tucson, after losing his ability to walk.  Mark resided at Handmaker until June of 2023, when he then moved up to Grand Forks, ND, moving into Woodside Village at Valley 4000 Senior Living.  Mark resided in the Oakcrest neighborhood, at Woodside Village, until his passing on September 7, 2023.  During Mark's residence at both Handmaker and Valley, in Tucson and Grand Forks, Mark's sister Joann continually ensured that she or one of Mark's loved ones was with him during almost all of his waking hours, ensuring he had companionship and advocacy.  Although Mark lost his ability to walk, and prior to and after that gradually lost other abilities, Mark remained positive, and his smile and laugh continued to make you feel like all was right in the world.

Throughout Mark's time in Iowa, Minnesota and Arizona, Mark was an avid Special Olympics competitor.  During his career in Arizona, Mark qualified for the 2010 National Special Olympics.  Mark took home a gold, silver and bronze medal at the national games, competing in the softball throw, standing long jump, and multiple walking events.  Mark's best event, known to many, was actually the event he received a ribbon for, and not a medal, as he was disqualified for running, well, sprinting, during the one hundred meter walk.  He sure looked like he took the gold.  During his Special Olympics career, Mark competed in track and field, bowling and basketball, and he loved it all.  Mark would often get out for bowling, with family, outside of Special Olympics, almost always getting "five strikes" when he played.  In Arizona, Mark was very dedicated to his walking routine, ramping up to nearly two and a half miles every morning.  Mark also loved to get out on the golf course, riding along on the cart, and showing off his putting skills on nearly every hole.

Mark loved to travel, visiting his siblings, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and all of his family's friends, who all loved the opportunity to spend time with Mark.  Mark and Joann were travel buddies, usually being able to get around in the summers for a Mark G tour, visiting family across the country.  In Mark's younger years he would be at as many of his nieces' and nephews' sporting events, graduations, weddings and special events as he possibly could, and he always made the game or party more enjoyable for everyone.

Mark's faith was unwavering, and if you were sitting next to Mark at Mass, you better not be fooling around.  Mark's love was unconditional, and strong.  Mark made new friends in an instant, and brightened the lives of those he met and spent time with.  Whether you had a day with Mark, or years, you were certain to have a lasting memory or story from your time together.  Mark made life better, and Mark made you strengthen your belief in something beyond us.  The gift of Mark will never end, it will continue for generations to come.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Patricus and Marie Ward; siblings, Margaret Mary Jurgens, Michael Ward and Catherine Popp; brother-in-law George Jurgens; nephew David Ward; great nephew Mackenzie Knutson; great niece Grace Black.

Mark is survived by his siblings, Joe (JoAnn) Ward, Arlington, SD, Joann Ward (Mark Krauseneck), Tucson, AZ, Pat (Susan) Ward, Fergus Falls, MN, Susan (Willy) Sloan, Quasqueton, IA and Angela (Joe) Bindner, Davenport, IA; sister-in-law Angela Ward, Littleton, MA; brother-in-law Joseph Popp, Burlington, IA; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.  Mark left an everlasting impact on these many family members, and his impact on others made them feel as though they were also, and will always be a part of Mark's family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Buddy Classic, a fundraising effort that was begun, in honor of Mark, back in May of 2023.  Please contact Andrew, Mark's nephew, at Albatross Indoor Golf Club for details – albatrossgf@albatrossgf.com or 701-757-3220.  Or, please feel free to make a donation, in Mark's name, to your local or the national Special Olympics, so that more special young adults can enjoy what Mark enjoyed so much.

Celebration of Life: 6:00 p.m. Saturday, September 23, 2023 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service and sharing of memories to follow, at the Albatross Indoor Golf Club 2800 S. Columbia Rd. Suite 232, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

For the Albatross gathering: Please, use northeast mall door #14, of Columbia Mall by the large Albatross sign (mall entrance between JCPenney and the old Sears)

Memorial Mass: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2023, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Family Greeting: One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Sunday.
Interment: 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 25, 2023 in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Revillo, SD.