Thomas "Tom" J. Marka

Lifelong Mankato resident, Thomas J. “Tom” Marka, 91, died peacefully Thursday, November 7, 2024. 

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials are preferred to SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Brighton Hospice, or Believet Canine Service Partners. 

Mr. Marka was born on May 31, 1933 to Frank and Marie Nora (Miller) Marka in Mankato, the thirteenth of fourteen children. He graduated from Loyola High School in 1952, and shortly after, began a 30 year career at Continental Can Co., retiring in 1982. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, having been stationed in Germany. He was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, VFW Post 950, and American Legion Post 11. 

Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, dogs, feeding birds and other wildlife, and watching sports on TV. His greatest lifelong interest was watching and playing golf. He began as a caddy in his early teens and actively played until age 85, achieving a hole-in-one at Minneopa Golf Course in 1982. 

Mr. Marka is survived by his brother-in-law, Alan Schwarz of New Ulm; sister-in-law, Lorraine Neubert of Mankato; and many nephews; nieces; great and great-great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his thirteen siblings; ten siblings-in-law; and several nephews and nieces.