Mark Blair

Mark Donald Blair, age 62, of Paton, died March 21st, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

His funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie. Burial will follow at Lost Grove Township Cemetery in Harcourt. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024 where family will visit with friends at Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie. Palmer Funeral Home of Gowrie is handling the arrangements.

Mark was born on May 21, 1961, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, IA. The first son of Wayne Donald and Donna Rose (Haeberlein) Blair. Mark was baptized and confirmed at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Grand Junction. He was raised helping take care of the farm west of Paton with 2 brothers, John & James. He attended Paton-Churdan School, graduating with the class of 1979.

Mark was a dedicated farmer whose passion for the land nourished both crops and souls. He loved farming and helped his dad, numerous farmers and family once he was old enough to run the equipment, hold a scoop shovel or pick up a bale of hay. He also loved to hunt and ran a trap line for many years and his love of hunting made him the best shot around. His unwavering commitment to agriculture enriched the community and left a lasting mark on the earth. He will be fondly remembered for his tireless work ethic, gentle spirit and deep-rooted love for his family and the land.

On April 9, 1983, Mark married Heidi Miller Blair at the Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie, IA. To this union 2 daughters were born, Ashley and Michelle.

Mark is survived by his wife Heidi of 41 years, daughters Ashley (Jeff) Allen of Fort Dodge and Michelle (Tanner Sporleder) Blair of Altoona, three grandchildren Abby, Mack, and Doss Allen, brothers John Blair of Paton and James (Suzanne) Blair of Ellston, his father-in-law Dale Miller, sister-in-law Holly (Tom) Shook, Marble Rock, and brothers-in-law Steve (Linda Aaker) Miller Humboldt, SD, Scott (Jan) Miller, Paton, Shannon (Beth) Miller and Stacy (Jill) Miller Harcourt. He is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews, 11 great-nieces and nephews, and many relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents Don and Donna Blair, and mother-in-law Patricia Miller and nephew Tye Miller.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.