Gerald "Red" J Markham

Whitewater, WI - Gerald "Red" J Markham, age 93, passed away near his LaGrange farm peacefully on August 14, 2025.   Red was born on March 6th, 1932, on a farm in Eagle WI, the son of Millard & Mary-Ann Markham.  He married his high school sweetheart, Eloice Loughead on October 24th, 1953, at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Whitewater, Eloice passed in July of 2012 at the age of 81, after 59 years of marriage.

Gerald grew up on a farm near little Prairie, WI near Adams school where he attended grade school. He graduated from Whitewater high school in 1950, where sports were a big part of his life. After high school he started his own farming operation on the Benson farm in 1951 with help from younger brothers, sisters and older sister Rosie as the housekeeper.  By 1957, Gerald and Eloice moved to a larger farm near Whitewater, also a dairy operation with hogs & chickens. In 1966 he was chosen by the Whitewater Jaycees as the "Outstanding Young Farmer in the Area".  This award led to the making of four seasonal films of 'Farm Family' by Encyclopedia Britannica to educate city children about life on the farm, one can still view these today on YouTube.  The Markham farm would eventually grow to 325 acres of primarily cash crops. Gerald and Eloice spent two decades of winters in their home in Apache Junction, Arizona and truly enjoyed the 'warm' active community lifestyle.  Red had deep friendships with his Kettle Moraine Drive neighbors; Fred & Cindy, Knuckle & Becky, Grenzow's, Ronny & Mary, Beth & Richard, & Nancy.  An avid football fan he enjoyed watching Badger games, Packer games, and any other football games on TV. Dad was a very devoted family man with his brothers, sisters, and children. He truly enjoyed the Markham family reunions with relatives from four of his sibling generations.  From his big armchair he was always on the phone with family and friends at all times of the day.  His adventurous spirit and generosity with his grandchildren will be missed tremendously. 

Gerald & Eloice were loving & caring parents and raised five children:  Kurt (Grace) of Beijing China, Pam (Frank) Torchia of Antioch Il., Dale (Kristin) of Milton Wi., Steve (Judy) of Stillwater MN., Tricia (Pat) Rude of Stillwater MN.; and his thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.   He is survived by his sisters & brothers; Joanne Flahive, Kathleen (Dick) Brinkhaus, Duane (Liz), Roger (Carol), Jake (Rosie), David (Mary-Ellen), Philip (Barb). Predeceased by his sisters & brothers; Rose-Marie, Elizabeth, Robert, Donald, Gordon, Kenneth. We would like to thank the staff at SSM Health, Milton senior living and Agrace Hospice for the care they showed Red.

A visitation will take place on Saturday. August 23, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1225 West Main Street in Whitewater WI. A mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 AM, also at St Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery following mass with a luncheon for gathering to take place afterwards.

Nitardy Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.