Melburn Markus Obituary Melburn Marion Markus, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away peacefully at his home of 55 years on October 24, 2024, in the care of his sons and daughters-in-law, surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mel was born on December 5, 1933, in Lakeview, South Dakota. He was the fifth of eight children born to William and Kathryn Markus. Mel graduated from Nampa High School, where he thrived in basketball and track. While in high school, he won the regional AAU track meet in Portland, Oregon, which qualified him for the national AAU track meet in Long Beach, California. Unbeknownst to him, this meet was also the 1952 Olympic trials. He later attended Boise Junior College and participated in both track and basketball. During his college years, he met his lifelong sweetheart, Sharon Lee Burt, at a drive-in movie theater. Mel asked her out on the spot, to which she responded, “You need to come to my house and ask me out like a decent boy should.” Sure enough, Mel followed her home and asked her out that night. They were married in December of 1955 and built their life together in Nampa, Idaho, where they raised four sons. Growing up in a humble family, Mel cherished time with his loved ones. The family shared a single bike, and the brothers took turns riding it while the others chased behind—a memory that may have sparked his love of running. As a newlywed, he worked as a salesman for Libby’s Foods. To make ends meet, he took on multiple jobs, from rebuilding produce crates to trading bones. He loved spending time outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He built a cabin in McCall, Idaho, where he and his family created endless memories. Mel spent almost all his free time serving and enriching the lives of his family and friends. He was an enthusiastic supporter and tried to attend every sporting event for his children and grandchildren. Known for his amazing homemade ice cream and his pranks, everyone loved his witty sense of humor. Mel gave his family a lifetime of cherished memories, whether through Christmas Eve parties, trips to Disneyland, teaching his grandchildren to fish, or showing up for every game, baptism, graduation, and wedding. He will be deeply missed. Mel is preceded in death by his parents, William and Kathryn, as well as his brothers Kenneth, Bruce, and Lloyd, and his sister Linda. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Lee Markus, of Nampa; his brother, Leroy Markus, of Nampa; his sister, Betty Dahlerup, of South Dakota, and sister, Viola Bailey, of Meridian; his sons and daughters-in-law, Mike Markus of Salt Lake City, Scott and Marcine Markus of Nampa, Rick and Kimber Markus of Boise, and Jay and Melody Markus of Nampa; along with 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the LDS Church building at 927 Ruth Lane, Nampa, Idaho 83686. A viewing will be held at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Funeral service can also be viewed via Zoom. Meeting ID #922 4654 9809
Add comment