Audrey Jane Markwart, 98

Audrey Jane Markwart, 98, of Lynn Township, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026, at Willowbrook Assisted Living in Auburn Hills, MI. Born on December 21, 1927, to Jess and Anna (Gilbert) Parker, Audrey grew up in Yale, Michigan, where the foundations of faith, family and service were first nurtured and carried throughout her life.

Audrey graduated from Elkton High School in Elkton, MI, and later from St. Clair County Community College. A woman of deep and abiding faith, she was a devoted and longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Capac. Her dedication to her church community was recognized in 1993 when she was honored as Woman of the Year for the Southeast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Over the years, she also shared her time and talents through involvement in Thrivent, the Capac Historical Society, and the St. Clair County Farm Bureau.

On April 12, 1947, Audrey married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Markwart, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Together, they shared an extraordinary 70 years of marriage. Audrey and Bob were second-generation farmers in Lynn Township, working side-by-side to steward their land and build a life rooted in hard work, family and community. She devoted her life to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker.

Audrey had a true gift for caring for others. This was most evident in her cooking, baking, canning and sharing the abundant produce that came from her large gardens. She also enjoyed oil painting, reading (especially her daily devotions), playing cards, rooting for her children’s and grandchildren’s alma mater sports teams and traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. She and Bob also cherished their winters spent in Florida.

Her heart was open in a way that made room for many. Audrey and Bob welcomed three foreign exchange students into their home, giving them not just a place to stay, but a family. One of them, Hatto Papendieck of Germany, became a beloved lifelong member of the Markwart family.

Audrey’s commitment to community was steadfast. She served on the Capac Community Schools Board of Education and dedicated 30 years as the 4-H General Leader for the Lynn Township 4-H Club, inspiring and mentoring generations of young people. She also loved sending thoughtful cards to family and friends, lifting their spirits with her kind words and care. In her later years at Willowbrook Assisted Living, she continued to brighten the lives of others by arranging flowers for the facility and fellow residents.

Audrey is survived by her children Luther (Terri) Markwart of McLean, VA; Melanie (Jon) Arnold of Melbourne, FL; and Heidi (David) Devereux of Clarkston, MI; daughter-in-law, Thelma Markwart of Shawnee, KS; grandchildren Robert, Missy (Josh), Tyler, Lindsay (Erin), Ryan (Barbara), Christian (Sarah), Lauren, Megan, Marlaina, Owen, and Jack; ten great-grandchildren; nieces Judy Markwart and Crystal (Brian) Wrubel; foreign exchange son, Hatto Papendieck (Wilma); and many cousins and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob; her children Andrew Markwart, Terrence Markwart, and Julianne Magneson; her son-in-law, Lee Magneson; her parents; sister, Charlotte Parker; her in-laws, John and Julia Markwart, and her stepmother-in-law, Marie; and Harold and Leona Markwart.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 16 at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 109 E. Kempf Ct., Capac 48014, with Pastor Matt Jewell officiating. Burial followed in the Lynn Township Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials, in lieu of flowers, be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

Audrey’s 98 years were a testament to a well-lived life marked by love, kindness and service to others. Her legacy of unwavering faith and generosity will continue to resonate in the hearts of all she touched.

Arrangements made by Kaatz Funeral Home, 10 S. Main Street, Capac. For more information and tribute wall visit: kaatzfunerals.com