James M. Markovich

Donna - James M. Markovich, 77, passed away on Monday, November 1, 2021 at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, TX.  Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna.

James Mathew Markovich – 77

 Jimmy passed away from complications due to COVID-19 on November 1, 2021 at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas with his wife and children by his side.  He was born Oct. 30, 1944 in Ely, Minnesota to Julius and Ruth (LeRoy) Markovich.  He was raised in Ely and attended Ely High School.  Growing up in Ely, he enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and became an avid hunter and fisherman.    

After serving in the United States Navy he returned to northern Minnesota. On May 3, 1969 he was united in marriage to Mary Maki in Buhl, Minnesota and from this union he had two children, Bill and Candy. Jimmy worked for US Steel in Mountain Iron, Minnesota for over 30 years.  He was a proud member of the US Steel Local 1938 union.

When the kids were growing up he loved to attend their events, never missing a moment.  The family spent their weekends at car shows; Jimmy had a passion for classic cars.  Once the kids were grown, he enjoyed riding and repairing his Harley Davidson motorcycles, playing cards, and listening to music.

On July 2, 2011 Jimmy married Nanci (Gowell) Blanchard in Hill City, Minnesota.  They spent many loving years together, wintering at Casa Del Sol in Donna, Texas and returning home each summer to Hill City.  Jimmy and Nanci loved to travel across the country.  Many of these special trips were with Jimmy’s sister and brother-in-law, Patti and Dennis Gowell.  Jimmy also loved to spend time with his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren.  As Jim’s family expanded with his union to Nanci, he loved all of his stepchildren and step-grandchildren as his own.  He was a loving man who touched the lives of many.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Nanci (Gowell) Blanchard, children, Bill (Stephanie LeDuc) Markovich, Grand Forks, ND, and Candy (Mario) Costa, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; stepchildren, Greg (Lisa) Blanchard, Hill City, MN, Mark Blanchard, Farmington, MN, Matt (Julie) Blanchard, Ramsey, MN; siblings, Patti (Dennis) Gowell, Ely, MN, Susie (Dean) McCauley, Ocala, FL; sisters-in-law, Pat (Larry) Fillbrandt, Bovey, MN; Susie (John) Mueller, Backus, MN; Yvonne Gowell, Wenatchee, WA; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, special friends, and his beloved dogs Sophie and Abby.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marianne Donovan; his first spouse, Mary Markovich; and his daughter-in-law, Kori Markovich.

Our deepest thanks to the Knapp Medical Center staff.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Hill City, MN in the spring.

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