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Marcella Thelma Markham
Marcella Thelma Markham
Hiawatha
Marcella Thelma Markham, 92, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025, at the Hiawatha Care Center.
A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Monday, June 9, 2025, from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m., with a rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. and memory sharing at 4:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Marcella was born on September 14, 1932, in Spring Grove, Minnesota, to Ole and Matilda (Omodt) Ostern. She graduated from St. Luke’s Nursing School and went on to serve as a registered nurse at Mt. Mercy. Marcella married Dennis Francis Markham on June 14, 1958, in Cedar Rapids.
A longtime member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Marcella sang in the choir and was active in the prayer group. Family members fondly remember the many rosaries she made for those in need. Her faith was central to her life, as was her love for her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Marcella valued the friendships she built throughout her life. She stayed close with lifelong friends, enjoyed visiting with neighbors, and found joy in her community including the local TOPS club.
Survivors include her daughter, Marie (John) Luke of Marion; two sons, Thomas (Tammy) of Cedar Rapids, and Daniel of Strawberry Point; and two sisters, Ona (Alan) Ellenson of Gardner, ND, and Carol (Leo) Fettig of Grand Forks, ND. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Kevin (Lindsey) Luke, Sara (Brandon) Beauregard, Alicia (Greg) Luke, Nick Applen, Hannah Applen, and Elena Brauer; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters LaVonne Aasen and Orpha Jackson; brothers Charles and Dale; her husband, Dennis; her daughter, Julie Griem; and her son, John.
Memorials in Marcella’s memory may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.
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