Mark L. Hunt, 81, of Minot, and formerly of Bricelyn, MN died on Monday, November 5, 2007 at Trinity Hospital in Minot.

Mark was born on October 18, 1926, in Bricelyn, MN to Lucius John Hunt and Myrtle Thompson Hunt and graduated from Bricelyn High School in 1944. While in high school, Mark excelled in academics, football and basketball. He played trumpet in the school band and worked hard on the family farm.

After graduating from high school, he served in the navy for two years. Mark continued his education at the University of MN, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. While attending the U of M, he participated in the ROTC program and served in the Army Engineers Reserve Corp for six years.

Mark met and fell in love with Patricia Trites while stationed (with the Navy) in the Minneapolis area. They married on December 20, 1947 in the Twin Cities.

After graduating from college, Mark's love of engineering led him to Jackson, Michigan where his sons John, Brett and Bill were born. As well as engineering, Mark taught evening classes at a local college.

In 1962, Mark accepted a position in Fairbanks, AK at Golden Valley Electric. Mark was instrumental in the electrification of rural Alaska. While in Fairbanks, he also managed the Municipal Utility System for the city of Fairbanks. Their 4th child, Jeanne was born in Fairbanks.

In 1968, the family moved to Anchorage, where Mark worked for Rutherford and Associates Engineering. In 1971 Mark moved his family to Minot. He was employed with Central Power Electric Co-op until his retirement in 1992.

Mark's retirement was not permanent. Love for engineering brought him back into the field, and he began to work as a consulting engineer for ECI of Billings, MT. At the time of his death, Mark had plans to begin work on a project over the winter for ECI.

Mark and Pat have a lake cottage on Prairie Lake, MN, where their children and grandchildren have enjoyed many wonderful summers. Every 4th of July, they hosted family from every corner of the US in a large reunion. Many wonderful memories have been made: fishing, swimming and sunning.

Mark was an active volunteer in his community and church. He spent over 25 years volunteering with the boy scouts, in Michigan, Alaska and North Dakota. He was also active at First Baptist Church, where he served as a Trustee, worked with the small children in the AWANA program and assisted his wife in the nursery. Mark also served as a commissioner on the city of Minot's planning and zoning commission for many years.

Our beloved husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa will be missed terribly. He taught us the importance of love of family, love of God and love of friends.

Surviving family includes: Wife of nearly 60 years Patricia; children: Jeanne (David) Miller of Binsfeld, Germany, John Hunt of Minot, ND, Brett (June) Hunt of Beulah, ND, Bill (Jeanne) Hunt of Bismarck, ND; grandchildren: Shay (Brittany), Marisha and Joslyn, all of Williston, Ryan Hunt of Fargo, Sara Miller of Binsfeld, Germany; four great grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Thorne of Boise, ID and brother, Donald Hunt of White Bear Lake, MN, as well as many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service will be Friday, November 9, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation will take place Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral home in Minot.
Memorials are preferred to First Baptist Church or the donor's choice.