The dairy world lost one of its most cherished souls on September 8th, 2025. Wendy Markus, the heart and backbone of Markvale Holsteins, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours with her beloved husband, Clarence, by her side. In what can only be described as divine timing, she entered Glory on their 41st wedding anniversary—a testament to a love story that defined not just a marriage, but an entire farming legacy.
More Than Just a Farm Wife
Anyone who knew Wendy understood she wasn’t just Clarence’s wife or “the woman behind the man.” She was a force in her own right. At 66, she had packed more purpose, passion, and impact into her years than most people manage in twice the time.
We’ve had the privilege of knowing this family for many years, and most recently through our coverage of their devastating barn fire years ago. What struck me then—and what resonates even more powerfully now—was how Wendy embodied everything that makes dairy farming families special. She didn’t just live on a farm; she helped build a legacy.
The Foundation of Character
Born in Woodstock on September 15th, 1958, Wendy brought something special to the Markus operation from day one. When we interviewed the family after their barn fire, one thing became crystal clear: Clarence and Wendy weren’t just running a dairy—they were raising champions. Not just cattle champions, but human ones.
Their approach to parenting was something that caught my attention years ago, and it’s worth remembering now. They led by example, never asking their kids to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. They developed their children, taking time to teach rather than just getting the job done faster themselves. And most importantly, they inspired their kids to become their own people.
Looking at their four children today—Darryl, Gary, Michelle, and Mark—and their 16 grandchildren, you can see Wendy’s influence everywhere. That’s not a coincidence. That’s intentional, purposeful parenting in action.
Faith in Action
Christian education wasn’t just important to Wendy—it was central to who she was. Her dedication to Woodstock Christian School, Oxford Reformed Christian School, and Covenant Christian School in Lambeth reflects a woman who understood that building character starts early and requires community effort.
In our industry, we talk a lot about breeding for the next generation. Wendy took that concept and applied it to something far more important than cattle genetics. She invested in developing human potential.
A Legacy That Endures
The barn fire that devastated Markvale years ago could have broken a lesser family. But Wendy and Clarence demonstrated something our industry needed to see: true character shows up not in the easy times, but when life throws its hardest punches.
They didn’t just rebuild their barn—they rebuilt with purpose, determination, and the kind of quiet strength that defines the best of dairy farming families. Wendy was right there through it all, proving that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about becoming stronger than you were before.
The Ripple Effect
With 28 nieces and nephews, plus her extensive family network, Wendy’s influence spread far beyond the borders of their Beachville farm. She understood something that too many people miss: farming isn’t just about what you produce. It’s about who you become in the process.
Her sudden passing reminds us all that none of us knows how much time we have. But Wendy didn’t waste a day. She loved deeply, worked purposefully, and invested in people who will carry her values forward for generations.
A Final Thought
As I write this, I keep thinking about 1 John 4:7, the verse that clearly meant something special to Wendy: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
That wasn’t just a Bible verse to Wendy. It was a blueprint for living.
In an industry that can be tough, competitive, and sometimes unforgiving, Wendy Markus showed us what it looks like to lead with love. Not the sentimental kind, but the roll-up-your-sleeves, show-up-when-it-matters, invest-in-people kind of love that builds lasting legacies.
Clarence, to you and your entire family: thank you for sharing Wendy with our community. Her influence on dairy farming families extends far beyond what you might realize. She showed us all how to do this life right.
The visitation and funeral services will give our community a chance to honor a woman who truly understood what matters most. But her real memorial lives on in every life she touched, every value she instilled, and every moment of grace she shared.
Rest in peace, Wendy. The dairy world is better because you were in it.
Visitation: Friday, September 12th, 7-9 PM and Saturday, September 13th, 10 AM-12 PM and 2-4 PM at Brock and Visser Funeral Home. Funeral Service: Monday, September 15th, 11 AM at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Woodstock Christian School, Oxford Reformed Christian School, and Covenant Christian School in Lambeth.
