Mark Liester, 85
Mark Liester, 85, of Garretson, S.D., passed away Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Touchmark Memory Care in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson, with Fr. Kevin O’Dell celebrating. Burial will follow at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Garretson.
Visitation will be from 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson. There will be a brief prayer service at 7:15 p.m.
Mark Liester, 85, passed away peacefully on Feb. 7. A lifelong resident of the Garretson area, Mark moved to Touchmark Memory Care in February of 2024 due to the progression of Alzheimer’s which affected him for more than nine years. Mark was born Oct. 3, 1940 at the DeVall Hospital in Garretson to James Sr. and Gertrude Liester. He graduated from Garretson High School and briefly attended South Dakota State University before joining the Air National Guard. In 1963 Mark married LaVonne Karli and they lived in the Garretson/Sherman area where they raised their family.
Mark enjoyed his family farm raising crops and livestock. He worked at the Sioux Falls Stockyards for 42 years. Mark and LaVonne were passionate about being present at their kids’ events and activities. He served on the Garretson School Board, Garretson Golf Board, Minnehaha County Library Board and was part of the Sherman Fire Department as well as a proud member of the high school football chain gang. Mark was a lifelong member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Garretson. He enjoyed golfing, watching sports and playing cards. Mark and LaVonne enjoyed trips to Hawaii and Alaska as well as several family vacations to the Black Hills. Everywhere he went Mark found people he knew and developed many cherished friendships.
Mark is survived by his wife, LaVonne; son, Karl (Jacki) Liester of Garretson; daughter, Kathy (Doug) Lund of New Ulm, Minn.; son, Sam (Heidi Hoffmann) Liester of Garretson; daughter, Sally (Jason) Hoogland of Moorhead, Minn.; grandchildren, Joshua (Faith) Liester, Jacob (McKenzie) Liester, Alex (Madison) Lund, Zach (Morgan Kerwin) Lund, Sophia Lund, Ellie Liester, Nicole Hoogland, Brooke Hoogland; and first expected great-grandchild in June; sisters, Mary Ellen (Arden) Sorenson, Jean (Bob) Wick; nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Gertrude Liester; son, Michael Liester; brothers, Jimmie (Helen) Liester Jr. and Bill (Pam) Liester.
For online condolences, visit minnehahafuneralhome.com.
