Mark Ankarlo

Mark had a song in his heart all of his life -- from his youth, as a member of the Duluth Boys Choir and as 1971-72 President of the East High School A’Capella Choir, to earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in Music and performing as a tenor soloist and member of several local musical groups, including the DSSO Chorus, the Arrowhead Chorale, and the Rittenhouse Wassail Singers. For 34 years, Mark taught Music and was choir director in Minnesota and Wisconsin public schools, primarily Ashland High School in Ashland, WI, and Woodland Junior High School in Duluth, MN.

Mark was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Barnes Community Church.

When he wasn’t singing, Mark enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, canoeing, his fantasy hockey league, cribbage, and then singing some more! Mark was overcome with joy this past August upon the birth of his granddaughter and then, later that month, when he married his sweetheart, a former classmate he has known since 1967.

Preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carole Backlund, Mark is survived by his wife, Patricia Sever Ankarlo, daughter, Karly (Michael) Karp, granddaughter, Madelyn Karp, sisters, Beverly Ankarlo and Gayle (John) Wilson, two nieces, a nephew, and many dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 18, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. Funeral Service at First United Methodist Church, 230 East Skyline Parkway, Duluth, MN 55811. Burial will be at Park Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 East 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555.