Mark Ludwig, 70, Wahpeton, ND (formerly of Valley City, ND) passed away at his home on July 26, 2024.  The memorial service for Mark will be held in St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Valley City, at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 24, 2024.  He will be laid to rest in St. Catherine’s Cemetery.  The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Mark’s family with arrangements. The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com.  An online guestbook is available there as well.

Mark was born on July 18, 1954, in Fargo, ND. At six weeks of age, he was adopted by Neil and Irma Ludwig in Valley City, ND. Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his sister, Marcie Ludwig Haigh, one niece, two nephews and their children along with cousins and many amazing caregivers from the Open Door Center in Valley City and from the Red River Human Services in Wahpeton, ND

As a young boy Mark was a good artist, loved everything about cars and construction, had an active inquiring mind with an abiding curiosity (which often got him in trouble). He was content to play by himself and was always excited to spend time with his dad.

Mark grew up in Valley City and attended St. Catherine’s School until fourth grade. When he was nine years old, he contracted the measles virus. This occurred six months before the measles vaccine was licensed for public use. Mark developed encephalitis as an after effect of the measles which left him with a severe cognitive disability and seizures. 

Mark was at the Grafton State School for many years until he was fortunate enough to get into the Open Door Center in Valley City. There he found many loving caretakers and his roommate of 30 years, Louie. He found home again, he was happy and blessed. When Covid 19 hit, Mark’s physical health declined, and we needed to find a new place for him to live. Eventually, Mark was fortunate to find a group home with Red River Valley Human Services in Wahpeton. He again found good care, love, and happiness for the last two years of his life.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Open Door Center in Valley City or Red River Valley Human Services in Wahpeton, N.Dak.