Mark was born on September 17, 1931 in Medicine Hat, AB. He was the second oldest of eight children. He was raised on the family farm in the Faith/Hoping area. In addition to working on the farm, he had several jobs as a young man including working several years for Ross Ranch. He married Merelyn Vornbrock from the Allerston area on Oct 17, 1957. They lived in Milk River for about 10 years where Mark worked as a carpenter. They had four children: Wayne in 1958, Randy in 1960, Gail in 1961, and Darryl in 1963. They moved to the Clem Thielen farm in Allerston in 1967, eventually purchasing the farm and living there for the next 55 years.

In addition to grain farming, Mark ran a herd of beef cattle for many years. Mark still enjoyed doing carpentry work on the side, and in his later years became an avid gardener. Mark and Merelyn enjoyed traveling and spent several years as snowbirds in Arizona.

Family and Faith were important cornerstones in Mark’s life. He loved spending time with his family, especially the grandkids and great-grandkids. He was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus and an active member of St. Isidore’s Parish in Allerston.

In 2022, Mark and Merelyn moved into the Prairie Rose Lodge in Milk River and in 2023, they moved into St. Therese Villa in Lethbridge.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Merelyn and their four children: Wayne (Brenda) Harty of Milk River, Randy (Cathy) Harty of Coutts, Gail (Dan) Howitt of Calgary and Darryl (Cy) Harty of Calgary; nine grandchildren: Adam (Christal) Harty, Breanne (Kyle) Carson, Shane (Laura) Harty, James Harty, Kevin (Kathleen) Harty, Keith Harty, Craig (Kelsey) Harty, Matthew Howitt, Michael Howitt, and four great grandchildren: Cruise Carson, Quinn and Raelynn Harty, and Walker Harty. He is also survived by his sister Marion Halvorson, his brothers Conrad (Phyllis) Harty and Peter (Lynn) Harty, his sisters-in law Ann Harty and Dorothy Head, and brother-in-law Norman Vornbrock, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mark was predeceased by his parents Ferdinand and Anna Mary Harty and his step-mother Katherine Harty, sister and brother-in law Clara (Herb) Garber, brothers Ralph Harty and Vincent Harty, sister and brother-in-law Magdalena (Manny) Lehr, brother-in-law Harold Halvorson, mother-in-law and father-in-law Christian and Alma Vornbrock, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Norbert (Judy) Vornbrock, Joyce Vornbrock, Gertrude (Ken) Galts, and Richard (Wilma) Vornbrock.

A Prayer Vigil will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. with Sharon Hagel officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 Main Street NW, Milk River, AB, on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.

Following the Funeral Mass, a lunch will be provided at a Reception that is being held at the Milk River Civic Centre at 321 - 3 Ave. NE Milk River, AB.

Following the Reception, Mark will be laid to rest in a family service at the Allerston Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Mark’s name to the charity of your choice.