Mark Gerard Saurage

Mark Gerard Saurage, 71, of Farmington passed away peacefully December 19, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born April 11, 1952 in Ironton.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Blanche Lorraine (West) Saurage; father, Frank McNeill Saurage; brother, John Glenn; sister, Mary Jo; sister-in-law, Glenda; niece, Michele; uncle, Cecil; aunt, Pearl.
Mark is survived by his loving wife, Sandi (Green) Saurage; three children, Jennifer (David) McGrew, Matthew (Sherry) Saurage, Laura (Brent) Fowler; his grandchildren, Benjamin, Hannah, Jackson and Justin who were a great source of immense joy for him. Mark is also survived by his siblings, Michael Saurage, James (Judy) Saurage, Phyllis (Peter) Strong, Elizabeth (Carl) Bennett, and Seery; sister-in-law, Denise. He also leaves behind a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a wide circle of friends, including many railroad buddies, church friends and grand-dogs.
Mark’s childhood was spent as the youngest son among eight siblings growing up in the little red house on the West side of Bismarck. He attended St. Joe’s Catholic school and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1971. Following high school, Mark joined the Missouri Pacific railroad (later Union Pacific), working alongside his father, also an engineer. Over his 40+ year career, Mark held various positions, eventually retiring as an engineer. Safety was paramount for him, & he never passed up an opportunity to educate, often emphasizing, “You don’t drive a train – there’s no steering wheel – you run a train!” His passion for trains extended to collecting and even maintaining a working train set with a mountain range and train depot at home, a source of delight for his grandchildren.
Mark’s interests were diverse, ranging from being a major Beatles fan to enjoying the music of the Eagles and Frank Sinatra, among others. He took guitar lessons & was part of the band “Truth, Tyme & Reason” in the late 60s. He enjoyed singing, particularly in the church choir. Mark was a dedicated Cardinals fan, often seen sporting his jacket or cap, with a particular fondness for players like Molina and the late Stan Musial.
Mark was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church, actively participating in church activities & his community; Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class and Men’s Group, he helped MUM’s Cafe, dedicated time to the local hospital, lowered the flag in the Order of Government Edits, and unloaded trucks for missions and local food pantries. His love for church & community service continued until Alzheimer’s limited his ability to participate.
Beyond his public engagements, Mark cherished antiquing, camping, tending to his yard, visiting family across the world, and indulging in old movies & classic series like Zorro, Batman, and the Lone Ranger.
At 63, Mark was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Despite the diagnosis, he joined medical studies, demonstrating resilience and a selfless spirit, hoping to contribute to finding a cure for others. He fought hard to try to limit the advancement of the disease, though Alzheimer’s had other plans, Mark’s spirit and impact will be deeply missed by many.
Visitation will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church of Farmington on Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 1:00 PM with Rev. Ron Beaton officiating. Interment will follow at St. Johns Apostles Catholic Cemetery in Bismarck. Arrangements are under the direction of C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home – Taylor Chapel in Farmington. Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.