It is with heavy hearts and deep love that the Olsberg family announces the passing of Markee Alton Olsberg, the patriarch and rock of their family. Markee passed away Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Livingston, Texas, at the age of 93.
Markee was born in rural Yankton County, South Dakota, in the little town of Lesterville, where he was raised on a sharecropper's farm. Following the completion of his education, Markee answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army. He proudly served during the Korean War with Company A, 553rd Engineer Battalion. During his deployment overseas, Markee worked alongside his fellow servicemen, supporting their efforts and helping ensure they could safely return home to their families. Following his honorable discharge, Markee and his beloved wife, Virginia, relocated to Louisiana for his career. Among his earliest jobs was helping construct the airbase in New Iberia, a milestone in the community's history of which he was especially proud to have been a part.
It was during his military years that Markee met the love of his life, Virginia Ann Uhing. Their friendship blossomed into a beautiful love story, and they eventually entered into holy matrimony. Together, they built a lifetime of memories and welcomed six children into their family: Mark, Mickey, Michael, Valerie, Michelle and Meleah. Their love continued to grow through the generations as they watched their family expand with the addition of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Professionally, Markee established himself as a highly respected cement engineer in the oilfield industry, dedicating more than five decades of his life to BJ Services and its predecessor companies, including Borg-Warner, BJ Cement and BJ Hughes. Throughout his remarkable career, he played an instrumental role in the company's success, innovation and advancement within the industry.
Markee's former coworkers have fondly reflected on the impact he made throughout his years of service. He was a man who willingly shared his knowledge, experience and expertise, always taking the time to teach others and help them grow in their careers. Among his many accomplishments was his involvement in developing the PSB (Precision Slurry Blender), an innovative cement mixer that revolutionized the way cement was mixed in the field. In the mid-1960s, he also authored a manual explaining the operation of bulk cement tankers, sharing his technical knowledge in a way that would benefit generations of industry professionals.
Those who had the privilege of working alongside Markee remembered him as a gentle, kind and humble man who never hesitated to share what he knew. Many credited their own professional growth and success to the lessons he taught them. His legacy in the oilfield industry extends far beyond his accomplishments, living on through the many individuals he mentored and influenced throughout his career.
Above all, Markee was a devoted family man whose greatest pride and joy came from the life he and Virginia built together. He and Virginia cherished the family they raised and treasured every opportunity to spend time with their children and grandchildren. Though his professional life was demanding, he always made room for the people who meant the most to him.
Markee also enjoyed traveling and exploring new places. As members of the Crusin Cajuns, he and Virginia traveled throughout the United States in their motorhome, making wonderful memories along the way. They even treated themselves to a dream vacation to Australia, an experience they treasured. Yet, as much as he enjoyed traveling, Markee's heart was always at home.
Never one to sit idle, Markee found great satisfaction in working with his hands. He loved tinkering in his shop, repairing machinery and figuring out how to make things work. If a part was unavailable, he would simply build one himself. His resourcefulness, mechanical ability and determination were just a few of the qualities that made him so special.
In his later years, Markee lived with his daughter, Meleah, who cared for him with unwavering love, compassion and devotion. From taking him to Sam's Club to purchase his favorite frozen Salisbury steak dinners to making trips to Kroger and Goodson's for household provisions, Meleah lovingly attended to his every need. Her care was a beautiful reflection of the love and devotion that Markee had instilled in his family throughout his lifetime.
Although his family will miss him dearly, they find comfort in knowing that Markee has not truly left them, but has simply gone on before them. They look forward to that precious day when they will be reunited with him, Virginia and Michael in their heavenly home. Until that day, Markee, may your soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Those left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy are his children, Mark A. Olsberg (Liz) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Mickey S. Olsberg of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Valerie A. Redmon (Rickey) of New Iberia, Louisiana; Michelle M. Buteau (Rocky) of New Iberia, Louisiana; and Meleah R. Hallmark of Livingston, Texas; his grandchildren, Thea R. White, Bryan A. Olsberg (Melinda), Jennifer R. Haines (Jason), Bradley J. Olsberg (Lori), Andy Walsworth (Jenna), Sara O. Atkins, Lance Redmon (Pamela), Brock M. Broussard (Valerie), Brandon Olsberg, Michael Mobley, Harleigh Hallmark McMaster (Lane), Courtney Mobley and Anthony James Hallmark; his great-grandchildren, Devin Crochet, Cameron Redmon, Damian Olsberg (Becky), Jordyn Atkins, Gavin Mahl, Jalen Atkins, Cameron Olsberg (Jayna), Jonathan Olsberg (Abigail), Dominic Atkins, Anthony Olsberg, Tyler Olsberg (Olivia), Riley White, Nathan Olsberg, Anniston Walsworth, Asher Walsworth, Hunter Redmon, Joshua Olsberg, Benjamin Olsberg, Arianna Olsberg, Maverick Haines, Reagan Redmon, Kennedi Redmon, Killey Menard, Aubrey Menard, Asher Clostio, Lily Broussard, Ava Broussard, Veronica Broussard, Gabriel Broussard, Myles McMaster, Keiran McMaster, Brendan Knight; his great great grandchildren, Kai Olsberg, Levi Olsberg and Oaklynn Olsberg; and his faithful canine companion, Sassy 2.
Markee was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Virginia Ann Uhing Olsberg; his beloved son, Michael Olsberg; his parents, John Stanley Olsberg and Clara Freeman Olsberg; his brothers, James Olsberg and Stanley Olsberg; and his faithful dog, Sassy 1.
A celebration of Markee's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Evangeline Funeral Home, with Deacon Keith Duhon officiating. Following the service, Markee will be laid to rest at Holy Family Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday at Evangeline Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Mobley, Andrew Walsworth, Brock Broussard, Anthony "AJ" Hallmark, Brandon Olsberg and Lance Redmon. Honorary pallbearers will be Hunter Redmon, Devin Crochet, Rickey Redmon, Lane McMaster, Gerald Uhing, Bryan Olsberg and Bradley Olsberg.
Relatives and friends are invited to share their condolences and memories of Markee by visiting his memorial at www.evangelinenewiberia.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
