Kori Jayne Markovich

Kori Jayne Markovich

Kori Jayne Markovich, 42, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully Wednesday evening, June 1st, 2011, in the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, with her family at her side.

She had been bravely battling cancer for the past 11 years, and had been a resident of the Villa since late February. Kori was born in Fargo, ND on August 7, 1968 to Dennis and Mary (Monson) Schmiess, and was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Hunter, ND. The family moved to Oakes, ND when she was a very young girl. Kori grew up in Oakes, was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church, and graduated from Oakes High School with the Class of 1986. She went on to receive certification as a Surgical Technician, and then furthered her education by earning a Business Management degree from Interstate Business College in Fargo. She was employed at BioLife Plasma Services in Fargo for several years. In 1990 Kori married Jeff Baldock in Fargo. They were blessed by the births of daughter, Katie, and son, Josh. On October 26, 1996 Kori was united in marriage to William Markovich in Duluth, MN. Kori and Bill welcomed their son, Zach, to the growing family. St. Cloud, MN became home for the next four years and Kori managed the BioLife Plasma Services office there. In 1999 they moved to Crookston and Kori started and managed BioLife Plasma Services in Grand Forks. A year later she became the Business Manager for Altru Clinic in Crookston, with satellite clinics in Fertile, Erskine, and Red Lake Falls. During this time Kori was diagnosed with cancer and in 2004 she reluctantly retired due to ill health. Though her prognosis was not good, she was a marvel to her Doctors, both locally and in Rochester, MN, for her extraordinary spirit and all-around strength, both physically and spiritually. She was truly a miracle to everyone for many years.

Kori was a devoted member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. For many years she was actively involved in the planning and success of the Miss Crookston pageant. Kori enjoyed scrapbooking, golfing, and spending time at the lake with her family. Bill and her kids: Katie, Josh, and Zach, were at the center of her universe, and their many accomplishments were made that much better by her fierce love for each of them. As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Kori will be missed beyond measure and her memory forever cherished.

Grateful to have been a part of her life are Kori's beloved husband of fourteen years, Bill; her 3 wonderful children: Katie Baldock of Fargo, ND, Josh Baldock of Crookston, MN, and Zach Markovich, at home; her mother, Mary Schmiess of Fargo; brother, Barry (Deb) Schmiess of Fargo; sister, Becki (Brad) Woehl of Kindred, ND; foster-sister, Fran Brummund of Fargo; and grandmother, Jennie Schmiess of Grand Forks, ND. Kori also leaves her father-in-law, Jim Markovich of Hill City, MN; mother-in-law, Mary Markovich of Hibbing, MN; sister-in-law, Candy (Mario) Costa of Toronto, Canada; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dennis Schmiess, who died in 2000; her brother, Todd, who died in 2010; and her grandparents, Dave Schmiess, and Goodwin and Gyda Monson.

May God bless the memory of Kori Jayne Markovich.

Kori's life will be celebrated with a funeral service which will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Jo Gast, officiating, and The Rev. Andrew Schlecht, co-officiant.

Visitation will be in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Monday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service and time of sharing, and also at Trinity for one hour prior to the funeral service.

Interment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston.

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