Marcus Frederick Richardson Jr.

Marcus’ service will be livestreamed and viewable below starting at 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 15, 2025:

Marcus Frederick Richardson Jr., 83, passed away on January 7, 2025, at the Hospice House in Fargo, ND.

Mark was born on January 11, 1941, in Kansas City, KS, to Marcus Frederick and Margaret Helen (Heinzman) Richardson. He grew up in Shawnee, KS, with his parents and two sisters, Sue and Kay, attending Shawnee Grade School. At age 10, the family moved to Lawrence, KS, where Mark attended junior high and one year of high school. His strong work ethic began early, starting his first job as a newspaper carrier at the age of 10. A proud achievement during this time was earning the rank of Eagle Scout by age 13.

At 16, his family returned to Shawnee, where he completed high school at Shawnee Mission North, graduating in 1959. The day after graduation, Mark and his parents relocated to Salt Lake City, UT.

In the fall of 1959, Mark enrolled at the University of Utah. That same year, while working at a service station, he met his first wife, Juelene Bess. They married on June 9, 1962, and had three children: Juelie, John, and Kenneth. Mark, raised in the Methodist church, converted to the LDS faith after his marriage. While studying engineering, he worked various drafting jobs, including at Hercules Inc., contributing to projects like the Minuteman and Polaris Missiles. His final drafting role was at Utah Idaho Sugar Co. Mark graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, fully funding his education through night and summer jobs, while his parents provided housing and transportation.

Mark’s engineering degree and drafting experience led to job offers in the aerospace industry, but he chose to remain with U&I as a factory engineer. Over 17 years, he held various roles in Utah, Idaho, and Washington, moving ten times in 12 years, each time receiving a promotion. He advanced from sweeper to factory superintendent, ultimately becoming the youngest District Manager in company history. During his tenure, Mark attended Harvard University and graduated from their Program for Management Development.

In 1979, U&I exited the sugar industry and began closing facilities. That same year, Mark’s first wife, Juelene, tragically passed in an auto accident on June 24. By fall, Mark sought new opportunities and accepted a position as Production Manager with American Crystal Sugar Company. He relocated to Moorhead, MN, with his three children, ages 16, 14, and 11, despite not knowing anyone there.

In 1980, Mark met his second wife, Sharyl (Auseth) Martin, and her two sons, Jeffrey and Matthew. They married on August 10, 1991. During his career at ACSC, Mark held several key positions, including Production Manager, Chief Engineer, Vice President of Operations, Interim President, and ultimately COO, retiring on January 1, 1999. He was proud of his contributions to expanding the capacity of ACSC’s five factories. Over 38 years in the sugar industry, he served as president of the Beet Sugar Development Foundation and trustee on the ASSBT board, frequently advocating for ACSC in Washington, D.C.

Mark’s greatest joy was his family. He often said he had nine children, embracing his three biological children, two stepsons, and their spouses as his own. He believed there were no “stepsons” or “daughters-in-law” — they were simply his children. Mark and his family experienced profound grief with the loss of his daughter, Juelie, on August 7, 2012, a heartbreak he carried with him.

Preceding Mark in death were his first wife, Juelene; daughter, Juelie Anne Hermann; his parents; in-laws, Juel and Lucy Bess and Alvin and Marjorie Auseth; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly Kay (Hoot) Gibson; brother-in-law, Jim Shores; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Luella (Charles) Carroll; brother-in-law, Duane Auseth.

Mark is survived by his wife, Sharyl; sons, John (Sheila) Richardson, Ken (Jennifer) Richardson, Jeffrey (Patricia) Martin, and Matthew (Ricki) Martin; sister, Patricia Sue Shores; and ten grandchildren: Marcus (Sophie) Richardson, Lauren Richardson, Emily (A.J.) Romanoski, Carly Richardson, Abbigail Richardson, Reese Richardson, Seth Martin, Tyler Martin, Joshua Martin, and Adriana Martin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Daryl (Carolyn) Auseth; Extended Family, Darwin and Melissa Opdahl.