Mary Lou Prussman Markt was born on September 10, 1930, in Oregon, Missouri, to Marjorie Brooks Prussman and John Prussman. She grew up in Oregon with her three sisters, where together they faced the challenges of farm life during the Great Depression. As a young woman, Mary Lou worked at the Robidoux Hotel, using her earnings to buy prom dresses for her sisters—a gesture that reflected her generosity and the strong family bonds that shaped her early years.
During her time at the Robidoux Hotel, Mary Lou met fellow employee and bellhop Charles “Chas” Markt. They married on October 30, 1954, and shared 65 years together until Chas preceded her in death in 2019.
Mary Lou spent her early career as a waitress, hostess, telephone operator and abstract clerk. She spent most of her adult life as a homemaker and served her community for many years as a poll worker. Her foremost passions were gardening, caring for her flowers, and cooking for both her family and friends. She also enjoyed sewing, going to garage sales, camping, fishing, and reading.
Mary Lou was also preceded in death by her parents and sisters Dema Jo (Myron) Noellsch and Betty Brunk; and brother-in-law, William Meyer. She is survived by her sister, Martha Meyer, St. Joseph; and brother-in-law, Jerry Brunk, Oregon.
She is also survived by her children: daughter, Dr. Charla Markt, St. Joseph; daughter and son-in-law, Jana and Terry Hughes, St. Joseph; son and daughter-in-law, John and Mary Markt, Oregon; and son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Meri Markt, Oregon.
Mary Lou also leaves behind five grandchildren: Natalie (Lindsey) Hughes, St. Joseph; Ashlie (Caleb) Zahnd, St. Joseph; Kyle (Mindy) Markt, Savannah; Dustin (Tanyana) Markt, Parkville; Hailey Markt (McKenzi Prussman), Washington, D.C.; and eleven great-grandchildren: Colton Schuster, Aubrey Schuster, Jude Zahnd, Finn Zahnd, Evey Zahnd, Liam Zahnd, Xander Markt, Baylor Markt, Ittipan Markt, Lennex Markt, and Gracelyn Markt.
The funeral will be held at Wyatt Park Christian Church, St. Joseph, on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., with burial immediately following at Maple Grove Cemetery, Oregon. Memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Animal Shelter, St. Joseph, to Maple Grove Cemetery, Oregon, MO, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
