Mark Ahles

Mark Ahles, age 73, of Big Stone City, SD died Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the St. Cloud Veterans Health System, St. Cloud, MN.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Rev. Thom Bowsher will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Mark Douglas Ahles was born September 28, 1943, in Milbank, SD to Robert and Treva (Williams) Ahles. He grew up in Milbank and entered the United States Navy in 1960. Mark served in many locations as a sailor and Sea Bee throughout Europe, Asia, and the South Pole, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. He retired from military service from the South Dakota National Guard, with whom he was deployed to Operation Desert Storm.

Mark is known by his family and friends as a singer and story teller who entertained at many family gatherings and parties. He loved to hunt pheasants and fish for perch on Big Stone Lake.

Mark is survived by one daughter, Jody Sparks of Maryville, TN; five step-children; three brothers: Bob (Flossie) Ahles of Sun City West, AZ; Darrel (Ann) Ahles of Lakewood, CO; Steve (Peggy) Ahles of Big Stone City, SD; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mark was preceded in death by one daughter, Terri Lynn; his parents, Robert and Treva; and one brother, Tom Ahles.