Mark Wright

Celebration of Life for Mark Wright, 62, of Ekalaka will take place 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 12, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home Ekalaka.

Mark Wright passed away on August 1, 2024. 

Mark Wright was born on December 11, 1961 in Sandstone, MN to Donald and Patsy (Fetters) Wright. He grew up in Moose Lake, Minnesota and graduated from Barnum High School in 1980. Following graduation he attended Pine Tech and then moved to Gillette, WY where he found work. 

Mark returned to Minnesota where he married the love of his life Judy Michalski in Kettle River, MN on May 4, 1985. They made their home in rural Barnum where they started their family. Mark and Judy became the proud parents of Nick, Zeb and Andrew. 

Mark had many interests including; hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, motorcycling, taking vacations, spending time with his grandchildren and arm wrestling which became a passion and he was very proud of his success in the sport. Mark was the state champion in the 175 lbs weight class for 15 years straight.

 Mark worked in construction and as a mason in MN, and then in 2002 they loaded up the family and headed to Ekalaka, Montana where Mark had made several hunting trips to and fell in love with the State. Mark worked as a contractor for all these years. He loved fishing, hunting, and access to the mountains that Montana had to offer and shared this love with his children and grandchildren over the years. He and Judy took time almost every year to hit the Sturgis motorcycle rally to meet up with freinds. Mark also returned to Minnesota every year to the Carlton County Fair and helped out with the horse races. He and Judy opened their home to many children over the years. 

Ekalaka offered the rural way of life for his family and he became an important part of the community by serving on the volunteer fire department for 22 years, 11 of those years he was the fire chief. Volunteering anywhere and anytime to someone that needed help. He was just a phone call away and almost never said no. 

Mark will be greatly missed by his wife Judy; sons, Nick (Heather) Wright, Zeb (Katie Rae)Wright, Andrew (Samantha) Wright; grandchildren, Ella, Cooper, Maverick, Cora, Kolby, Kolten, Wilder; Sisters; Jan Bloom and Annette ( Jeremy) Pangerl; Aunts Rosie Wright and Linda Fetters; bonus children Chris Jardee, Mike and Tim Aufderhar, Miranda Christenson, Mariah Schneider, Carly Aho and Greta Barrett; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; his firefighting , hunting and fishing family, and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kevin Wright; brother-in-law, Joe Michalski; maternal and paternal grandparents.

In lieu of flowers please send a memorial to your local fire department in Memory of Mark.