Mark Ward

Mark Ward, age 61, of Baudette, MN passed away on Monday, June 5, 2017 at his home.

Mark Ward was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the oldest of five children, to Dennis and Ruth Maxwell Ward. Mark attended school in Fordville, graduating in 1973 from Fordville High School. He then attended North Dakota State School of Science and St Thomas University in St Paul, MN.

He worked several jobs utilizing his talent in mechanical repair, eventually going to work in the oil fields in western North Dakota in the 1980’s.

Mark joined Loram Maintenance of Way in 1988 as a Rail Grinder operator. He was promoted several times in the next year eventually becoming the Superintendent on RG11. By 1991, he was a Division Manager and in 1993 became a Regional Operations Manager. In 1996, Mark was promoted to Product Specialist in the Rail Grinder Division, and in 2008, became the Maintenance Manager at Loram.

One of Mark’s prouder accomplishments came in 2004, when he was granted a patent as the inventor of a system and method for an on-site maintenance of railcar wheels. Loram also acknowledged him for his work on a significant collision cleanup late in his career, citing he worked 48 hours straight. Loram also acknowledged him for his creativity and insight into maintaining and improving the rail grinding fleet, considering him an expert in rail grinding with his mechanical knowledge and outside the box thinking. He retired from Loram in 2014.

Mark’s keen sense of humor has spread chuckles throughout all who knew him. He was a lifelong fisher, hunter, golfer and snowmobiler. Although he spent much of his life living in Minnesota, he always considered himself to be from Fordville, ND. His love for fishing led him to a venture in Lake of the Woods in 2014 where he became the owner of the Wigwam Resort in Baudette, MN. He remained there until his passing.

He is survived by the love of his life Renee Jacobsen of Baudette, MN and his faithful companion Ranger. He is also survived by his mother, Ruth Nilson of West Fargo, ND and four siblings: Kim (Gordon) Castleman of Kindred, ND; Scott (JoAnn Swift) Ward of Buchanan, ND; Lee Ward of Summerland Key, FL; and Janine (Brian) Haugen of Fargo, ND and numerous nieces and nephews.

There is a Memorial Service to remember Mark on Monday, June 12th at 3 p.m. at the Lutheran Church in Fordville, ND.