Mark & Kay Crowl

Kay was born September 16, 1945 in Twisp, WA; she was the daughter of William Cullen and Audrey Edith (Adams) Bryant. Mark was born March 24, 1943 in Sioux City; he was the son of Wayne Wilson and May Isabelle (Stephenson) Crowl.

Mark grew up on the family farm north of Lawton. He attended Iowa State University for a few years before transferring to the University of South Dakota. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and was also a Stroller. He graduated in 1966 with degrees in business and journalism.

Kay also attended the University of South Dakota and was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Kay was majoring in Pre-Medical Studies.

Mark and Kay were married on June 4, 1966. They moved to a house on Old Highway 141 where they still live today. For the next several years, Mark and Kay raised cattle and farmed. In 1966, Mark joined the 133rd Mechanized Infantry based in Sioux City. In 1968, the Mechanized Infantry Unit was activated and many members were went to Vietnam. Mark was assigned to the 44th Medical Brigade and served as a combat medic.

While Mark was in Vietnam, Kay returned to California and lived with her mother. There, on August 6, 1969, their son, Scott Jason Crowl was born in the town of Bakersfield.

When Mark’s tour of duty in Vietnam was completed, they returned to their home in Iowa. Mark joined the family to aid in the farming operation. Kay, while receiving a biology degree at Morningside College and a Master’s Degree from the University of South Dakota, helped with the cattle herd. Kay began teaching science at South Sioux City Junior High. She was there for 21 years. While at South Sioux City, she was an adjunct for Wayne State College, teaching biology. The last 8 years of her teaching career, she spent teaching Earth Science and Biology at East High School in Sioux City. Kay retired in 2003.

Kay entered the field of aviation after retirement and obtained a private pilot’s license. She enjoyed being with her granddaughters, Dalaney and Kallie, gardening, working on stained glass and spending time with her Chi Omega sisters. Kay loved living on the farm taking care of livestock and her beloved horses, tending flower and vegetable gardens and taking care of the house and pool.

After actively farming for 20 years, Mark began a construction company. He and his partner, Bob Bergendahl did all kinds of new construction and remodeling. They built several homes in Moville, Sioux City, Lake Okoboji and throughout the Siouxland area. Later on, Mark’s nephew John Crowl joined the company along with another employee, Bryan Paulsen. Mark retired in 2008.

After retirement, Mark spent his time building airplane hangars and a new office at Martin Airfield in South Sioux City. He enjoyed flying after receiving his pilot’s license in 1972, restoring old cars and his favorite hobby for many years was restoring wood boats. Mark was a lifelong active member of Phi Delta Theta at USD in Vermillion, SD just recently assisting in a remodeling project at the fraternity house

Mark and Kay traveled extensively in retirement to Texas and Arizona visiting friends and relatives in their RV during the Iowa winters and west in the National Parks in the spring and fall. Their summers were spent at their lake house on 8th Crow Wing Lake near Park Rapids, MN. In the summer they also traveled to Sioux Lookout, Canada up to four times a year fishing with friends.

Survivors include their son Scott Crowl and his wife Krista of Sioux City; 2 granddaughters: Delaney and Kallie. Laura has a brother, William “Bill” Bryant and his wife Sandra of Tucson, AZ; a niece Tamara Chosy and her husband John. Mark has a niece Amy Crowl and 2 nephews John and Jack Crowl and a sister in law: Zoralea Crowl.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents. Mark was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Thomas Michael Crowl.