A celebration of life for Gregory Charles “Greg” Markel, 59, was held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at the Platte County Agriplex Building with Pastor Casey Schroeder officiating. Inurnment will be in the Wheatland Cemetery.
The family honored Greg’s love for the Huskers by wearing red or Husker gear to the service.
Greg Markel passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
Greg was born on Wednesday, December 22, 1965 the son of Daniel Dean and Linda Kay (Mintken) Markel. Greg was the youngest of three children.
Greg grew up in Lodgepole and as a young man spent his time farming and ranching. He loved to hunt and fish along Lodgepole Creek when he wasn’t playing football, basketball, running track or showing livestock in 4H. Greg spent a lot of his summer days at Lake McConaughy. He graduated from Lodgepole High School in 1984.
From there it was off to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Where Greg was a member of Sigma Chi. Greg graduated with a degree in ag business in 1989.
Fresh out of college Greg took a job with Mutal of Omaha. Greg’s ag roots took him right back to agriculture as he then took a job with Syntex Animal Health. That job would lead him to Greeley, Colorado. Gregs role with Syntex would lead to a career in the animal health industry that would go on to last 35 years. He went on to impact Fort Dodge Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, and finally CH Hasen where he worked until his passing. Greg made lifelong friends and was highly regarded in the cattle feeding industry. Everyone knew “MARKEL”.
In 1992 Greg took the chance to go on a blind date at the famous “Wrangler” party and it was there that he met the love of his life Misty Ryff.
The two were married on June 10, 1995. In 1996 they welcomed their first child, Sarah and in 1999 son, Chase.
Greg and Misty moved to Wheatland in 2001. They built a home and spent 17 years raising their children. Greg enjoyed attending the sports events and hauling the kids to livestock shows.
After getting the kids off to college Greg and Misty moved to Belle Fourche in 2018. Greg enjoyed the Black Hills and Deadwood. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing in his spare time as well as tinkering with anything and everything.
Greg was an avid Husker fan on Saturdays! But nothing compared to his most recent accomplishment of becoming a grandfather to Briggs Avery McKenzie.
Greg was a loving husband, father, son, pap pap, brother, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all.
Greg is survived by his wife of 29 ½ years, Misty Markel of Belle Fourche, South Dakota; son, Chase Markel of Laramie; daughter, Sarah ( Bryce) McKenzie of Buffalo; grandson, Briggs McKenzie; parents, Dan and Linda Markel of Lodgepole, Nebraska; brother, Jeff (Jill) Markel of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; sister, Tracy (Larry) Bullock of Phoenix; mother-in-law, Edie Ryff of Wheatland; sister-in-law, Mandy (Travis) McIntosh of Wheatland; and several nieces and nephews.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Bryce McKenzie, Jeff Markel, Travis McIntosh, Larry Bullock, Tom Hiser, Dave Agular, Rey Armendariz, Rob Uehran, and Kevin Campbell.
A memorial to the Greg Markel Memorial Fund, C/O Platte Valley Bank, 200 Sixteenth Street, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201 for mental health awareness would be appreciated by the family.
Gorman Funeral Homes - Platte Chapel of Wheatland, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.gormanfh.com
