Herman Adolf Markwart

On May 3, 1941, Herman Adolf Markwart entered the world in Samter, Germany. He joined his older brothers, Reinhold and Eduard, completing the family born to his parents, Leopold and Amanda.

Herm’s early years were fraught with times of uncertainty and scarcity, but they were abundant in love, which continued throughout his life.

In 1952, he and his family immigrated to the United States through the generosity of Lutheran World Relief and the congregation of Zion Lutheran Church in Woodland, Michigan.

Herm’s dream of riding a horse across Indian territory to school was cut short when a red, white, and blue school bus showed up to transport him and his brothers to school.

While living in Woodland, the Markwart family established a home and forged a bond with the community and its residents.

Herm graduated from Woodland High School in 1959 and continued his education at Northwestern University and Ferris State Institute (now Ferris State University). While attending Ferris, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Mathematics.

As a college-aged young man, Herm enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, and sailing his little sailboat, all while embracing the notion that he would be a lifelong bachelor.

This changed when Julia Ann McLeod entered his life while they were both teaching in Essexville, and the idea of lifelong bachelorhood evaporated rather quickly.

Herm and Julie were married on December 26, 1965, in Gilbert, Michigan, at Trinity Lutheran Church and enjoyed their first years of marriage in Essexville.

Herm attended many institutes of higher learning in pursuit and earning of his master’s degree, including Wayne State University, the University of Illinois, and Michigan State University.

God favored Herm with a full head of wavy hair, so it’s only natural that he would be a “girl dad.” Herm and Julie were blessed with three daughters: Liesl Ann, Heidi Kirsten, and Sonja Marie. He was the ideal model for the girls to practice their beautician skills, sitting for hours while they put curlers, barrettes, ponytails, and bows in his hair.

Herm and Julie settled in Union Lake, Michigan, where he began teaching mathematics at West Bloomfield High School. In addition to teaching, Herm worked as a deputy at Kensington Metropark and taught night school, allowing him to spend his summers at home with his family—camping, gardening, going on church canoe trips, and pursuing many other interests.

They were very active members of Christ of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Waterford, Michigan, from 1968 to 1989, and have been members of All Saints Lutheran Church in Hartland, Michigan, since.

Herm retired from teaching in 1996 and took up carving as a new hobby that turned into a passion and eventually a ministry. Herm was known for his clutching cross and comfort birds, carving each one from various species of wood and giving them away to anyone who asked.

Through this ministry and many other acts of service, Herm taught us all what it means to be a Christian man and faithfully loved his neighbors as himself. Once you met Herm, you could always count on him.

Herm loved M.C. Escher designs, puzzles of all sorts, photography, gardening, cooking, Sudoku, coffee hour with his church family, home improvement, camping, traveling, long daily talks with his brother, and most of all, sharing a meal and playing cards with dear friends, his daughters, and their families.

Herm’s final act of caring for Julie was ensuring she had plenty of checks left in the checkbook.

Carrying on Herm’s legacy are his wife of nearly 60 years, Julie (Judy); daughters Liesl (Matt) Schick, Heidi (Bo) Roop, and Sonja Markwart; grandchildren Marta, Nathen (Sydney), Leopold, Hudson, and Lucy; brothers Reinhold (Janet) and Eduard (Jeanette); sister-in-law Bernadette McLeod; five nephews, four nieces, and many great and great-great nephews and nieces.

Herman is preceded in death by his parents, Leopold and Amanda Markwart; sister-in-law Ruth Markwart; niece Annette Markwart; nephew Stephen Markwart; brother-in-law Steven McLeod; and parents-in-law Howard (Bob) and Vera McLeod.

In his wish to be “seen and not viewed,” a private green burial has taken place at The Preserve at All Saints Cemetery in Waterford, Michigan.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday November 16, 2025 at All Saints Lutheran Church in Hartland at 2:00 PM, officiated by Pastors Bart Muller and Diane Sponheim.

In Herm’s honor, we ask that you wear a zip-up fleece vest, flannel shirt, or both—if you have them—and be ready to share your favorite stories of Herm with his family.

Memorials in Herms honor can be made to Lutheran World Relief and All Saints Lutheran Church Benevolence Fund.