Obituary of Marcus John Todd
Marcus John Todd (85), a St. Maries, ID resident, passed away on June 8, 2024, at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, ID, surrounded by family. He was born on October 4, 1938, in Portland, OR to Thelma Lane. Mark was raised by his Mom and Pop, Elijah and Leora Todd, in Lapwai, ID. He attended Lapwai High School, where he excelled at playing football and was always seen with a camera in his hand. He graduated from Lapwai High School in 1956.
After high school, Mark attended the University of Idaho, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Agriculture Education. While at the University of Idaho, Mark played football and took sports and Army ROTC pictures for the Argonaut. On September 16, 1967, Mark married Ann Boekel at the United Methodist Church in Coeur d’Alene, ID. They made their home in St. Maries. Mark went down a few different career paths over the years. After college, he owned and operated a truck that transported split-rail survey stakes from Northern Idaho to Boise. He was also dedicated to the town of St. Maries and Benewah County, serving his community selflessly. Mark worked for the State of Idaho as a Social Worker and served as County Director of Benewah County for the Health and Welfare Department until 1976. He continued as Chairman of the Board for Panhandle Health, was an EMT, and taught classes to the new recruits. Mark spearheaded the creation of the Paul Bunyan Days’ parade and headed up the parade for 54 years. He established Todd Photography, specializing in wedding photography, and took sports team pictures in St. Maries for many years.
Mark and Ann opened Todd Distributing in 1976, where Mark sold impulse items and coffee to commercial establishments. He was fondly known as the “Trinket Man”. The business evolved to sell candy, coffee, popcorn, and other food items that also progressed into vending machines and other specialty items to the local businesses and mills. Mark was an avid salesman and could sell you just about anything you sought. Mark lived and loved to work, thoroughly enjoyed running his business. He never retired and was taking calls from his bed at the hospice house.
Mark Todd was a dedicated man and the definition of a community servant. He had the gift of gab, enjoying all his visits and conversations along the way. In his younger years, he was heavily involved with Little League, Babe Ruth, Kiwanis, and was a past Elks and Eagles member. An avid reader, he loved books, newspapers, and magazines; when he wasn’t reading, he enjoyed watching the news, especially political programs and reveled in a competitive game of cards as well as other games. He looked forward to visits with his grandchildren to have conversations about their lives, work, and world events. The only thing that stopped him from work was if the Seahawks, Mariners, or Idaho Vandals were playing. He loved being with family and often made them go to work with him; running Todd Distributing was undeniably a family affair. Mark was very proud of his growing family and eagerly awaited his first great-grandchild's birth. He could hardly wait to hold her.
Mark is survived by his wife Ann at their home in St. Maries; children Lee (Colliene) Todd of St. Maries and Lorena (Richard) Ryan of Mountain Home, ID; grandchildren Jade (Chelsea) Covey of Selah, WA, Jonathan (Jenny) Ryan of Orofino, ID, Matthew Ryan of Mountain Home, ID, Jacob (Kimberly) Ryan of Ewa Beach, HI, Paytyn (Hayden) Fullerton of Rathdrum, ID, Elizabeth Ryan of Boise, ID, Trystyn Todd of St. Maries, Darriene Todd of St. Maries, and Brayden Todd of St. Maries; several cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his Mom and Pop, daughter Kristine Marie Todd, cousin Buddy, and his brother-in-law William Boekel.
A Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Community Presbyterian Church in St. Maries. Graveside services will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The Schneidmiller Hospice House or a charity of your choice in Mark’s name.
