Asphyxiation Claims Galata Pair

Harold J. Markuson, 63, and his wife Theodora A., 59, were found dead in their home 15 miles northeast of Galata Friday forenoon. Death was attributed to asphyxiation. Investigation is continuing. No foul play is suspected. According to reports they had gone home Thursday night, and their bodies were discovered by their son, Duane, at 10:30 Friday forenoon. They were both in bed. The coroner took the bodies to Great Falls for an autopsy where they found a high concentration of carbon monoxide.

Services were held Monday at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church 18 miles north of Lothair. Burial was in Trinity Cemetery.

Mr. Markuson was born in 1918 on the family farm north of Galata. After graduating from Galata High School he began farming north of Galata. Mrs. Markuson was born in 1922 in Marshall, North Dakota. They were married in Fairfield November 7, 1942, and in December of that year he entered military service. After his discharge from service they farmed north of Galata until 1978. In 1979, they moved to Great Falls, where Mr. Markuson attended the Great Falls Vo-Tech School, graduating in watchmaking. In March of this year they returned to their farm home.

Survivors include two daughters, Jeannette A. Ambuehl of Bemidji, Minnesota. and Mrs. Charles (Ethel) Sutej of Great Falls; a son Duane, of Galata; three grandsons; Harold's six sisters, from oldest to youngest, Emmi Kelso, Kalispell; Beth Leighton, Chester; Evelyn Jones, Jacksonville, Oregon.; Marie Berry, Jacksonville, Oregon; Lillian Fenster, Kalispell; Mildred Visocan, Raynesford; and Teddy's (Theodora's) two brothers, Arthur and Addison Hedberg, Parshall, North Dakota.

Liberty County Times, Chester, MT, 24 Dec 1981