Lodifa Markel

Lodifa Markel, age 96 of Hoople, ND passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River. Lodifa Rieger was born March 30, 1918 in Ashley, ND the daughter of the late Peter and Katherine (Merkel) Rieger. She attended schools in Cavalier, ND. Lodifa was united in marriage to Joe Markel on December 10, 1943 in Neosho, MO. The couple farmed in Osceola, MO for five years before returning to Crystal, ND. They lived there for three years, then moved to Hoople and purchased the L.B. Hartz Store. They ran the store for 20 years, retiring in 1977. Joe passed away April 5, 1981. Lodifa later moved to Grafton and in October of 2011 she moved to the Good Samaritan Center of Park River. She was a member of the former Hoople Methodist Church and Rebecca's Circle as well as the local Birthday Club. Lodifa is survived by her children: Kay Atkins, Grafton, ND; Glenn Markel and Stanley Markel, both of Park River, ND; two grandsons; David Markel and Joseph Markel and her sister, Latina Linquist, Garden Grove, CA. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers: Ed, Mel and Reuben and sister, Elinor Beard. Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at First Lutheran Church of Hoople, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Hoople City Cemetery, Hoople, ND.