Carol Ruth Mark
Born: February 22nd, 1923
Died: January 19th, 2008
Obituary
Carol Ruth Mark, 84, of Burlington, died at 1:39 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Great River Medical Center's Klein Unit. Born February 22, 1923, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Chester and Mary Ruth Thornton Melcher. On May 2, 1942, she married Elmer Giese in Burlington. He died December 15, 1977. On August 6, 1983, she married Robert Mark. He died February 3, 1992. Mrs. Mark was a switchboard operator for Northwestern Bell for 30 years. She was at work December 7, 1941, when all the lights on the switchboard lit up at once. She thought it must have been a power surge, but little did she know she would have her part in history on that fateful day. She was a link for loved ones all over America trying to find out any news possible about their sons, husbands and fathers stationed at Pearl Harbor. She was a secretary at the Girl Scout office for 10 years and was a 1941 graduate of Burlington High School. Mrs. Mark was a member of SS. John and Paul Catholic Church. She was an avid bridge player and famous cook, especially known for homemade candy. She and her husband, Robert, traveled extensively. Survivors include one daughter, Joan Smith of Burlington; two sons, James Giese of Houston, Texas, and Jerry Giese of Burlington; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents and one sister. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Lunning Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Mark will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with the Rev. Patrick Hilgendorf as celebrant. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for SS. John and Paul Catholic Church and Burlington Notre Dame Schools.