In Memory of Deb J. Markert

Deb Markert, age 68, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Eugene Tolstedt will officiate. A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Committal Services will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Deborah “Deb” Markert, the daughter of Norman and Donna (Kunkel) Bockelman, was born on May 1, 1953, in Ida Grove, Iowa. Deb grew up on a farm west of Battle Creek, Iowa and graduated from Battle Creek High School with the class of 1971.

On May 6, 1972, Deb married John Tarr in the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek. To this union two sons were born, Corey and Casey. During this time Deb enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother raising her boys. The couple later parted ways. 

In 1990, Deb met Larry Markert and later the couple married on October 30, 1999, in the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek. Larry had two sons, Andy and Nic. Together Deb and Larry were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly and Cassidy.

You may remember Deb’s friendly smile from her many years of waitressing or from working at the local gas station. Deb was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek where she was active as a Deacon and was active on numerous committees. In the past she also taught Sunday school, worked the annual harvest dinner, and attended Bible study.

Deb enjoyed camping, playing marbles and cards, reading, gardening, cooking, cross stitch, spending time with her family and being a faithful servant of the Lord.

Left to cherish her memory include her loving husband Larry Markert of Battle Creek, IA; children: Corey (Sarah) Tarr of Battle Creek, IA and Casey (Tammi) Tarr of Battle Creek, IA, Kimberly (Joe) Markert-Bach of Des Moines, IA, Cassidy (Jonathon Peters) Markert of Ida Grove, IA, Andrew (April) Seydel of Urbandale, IA and Nicholas (Katie) Seydel of Ankeny, IA; 8 grandchildren: Nathaniel Tarr, Natalie Tarr, Alexis Tarr, William Tarr, Charlie Peters, Crew Peters, Ethan Seydel and Ebon Seydel; brothers Gary (Betty Treiber) Bockelman and Dan (Tabitha) Bockelman all of Battle Creek, IA; mother-in-law Bessie Deimel of Manson, IA; extended family and a host of friends.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Donna Bockelman.