Lois Ann (Wickre) Markley

Lois Markley of Bainbridge Township and Brecksville, Ohio was born August 14, 1929, in Veblen, South Dakota, the second eldest daughter in a family of ten girls, to Jacob and Gertrude Wickre. She died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Bainbridge on May 13, 2024.

Lois attended country school near the farm and, as a young child, experienced the devastating effects of the dust bowl and the great depression. Lois attended one year of high school at Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, ND but transferred to Veblen High School to complete her degree. Sports became a big part of her high school years, playing basketball and cheerleading. She was also active in publishing the school paper and the yearly publication of the class Annual. She excelled in her studies and graduated in 1947.

Lois initially worked in the local bank as a teller but, after a year, moved to Minneapolis where she was employed in secretarial positions. In her role as administrative secretary to the regional manager for Babcock and Wilcox Utilities, she met her husband, Gordon Markley, who also worked for Babcock and Wilcox in Chicago. They were married July 1, 1963, in Chicago where they lived until 1966 when Gordon became Regional Director for Babcock and Wilcox in Cleveland, Ohio.

Lois devoted her time to raising their two children, Jeffrey (Jeff) and Jennifer, and was also active in school, church and community activities. Following in her mother, Getrude's, footsteps, she loved gardening, creating beautiful flower gardens and arrangements. She was also a seamstress, and in her later years produced beautifully embroidered linens.

Lois was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister and she will be held in our loving memories forever.

Survivors include her son, Jeffrey (Lori) Markley, daughter Jennifer (Tim) Byrd, stepdaughter Barbara (Lonnie) Bell and stepson Douglas (Kathy) Markley, grandchildren Garrett (Alyssa) Markley, Elise Markley, Jacob Byrd, and Shannon Byrd, sisters Lyla (Joe) Dramise and Faye Gilbarg, and brother-in-law Bill Cangley.

Preceding her in death, her husband Gordon Markley, parents Jacob and Gertrude Wickre, infant sisters Arlis and Arlene, sisters Marilyn Wickre, June Oakins, Ardamae Wickre, Betty Wickre, Cynthia Cangley, brothers-in-law Jim Oakins and Paul Gilbarg.

A family graveside memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Brecksville Cemetery, 9012 Highland Dr., Brecksville, OH 44141, on Friday, August 23, 2024.

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