Denise J. 'Marti' Markus

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Markus, Denise J.(Marti) Age 62, of Minneapolis. Passed away Thursday, August 25, 2016, surrounded by family members. Preceded in death by father Robert, and sister Mary Lisa. A life long advocate of pursuing her goals, Marti left Totino Grace High School in 1972 to travel to the west coast in her Volkswagen van, bringing along a couple of friends on a camping trip. Eventually, more friends joined them, to the point where the entire group was encouraged (and ultimately escorted) by the local authorities to find camping arrangements elsewhere, not within the county limits. Other goals included travel, and Marti spent time in Europe, Africa, Greece, and worked on a kibbutz in Israel. In her late 20's, Marti was on a study exchange program in Uruguay when her father fell ill with cancer. She returned to Minnesota and cared for him until his death in 1983 Marti remained in the MSP metro area, obtained a nursing degree, and worked as public health nurse for a time. In 1985, she trained as a massage therapist, and met her future husband Tony Purvey. They were married in 1987. She kept her massage practice until their sons were toddlers, devoting her time and energies to raising them, homeschooling them up to high school age. In her classic quiet way, she became a second mother to Tony's daughters, embracing, supporting and encouraging them through life. Her children were her beacons, her touchstones.her absolute joys. A long time supporter of social equality and justice, Marti became a partner in Birch Clothing in 2005, a store that sold fairly made and fairly traded clothing and gifts. When Birch closed in 2009, Marti started working for local food coops, and was the general merchandise buyer at The Wedge Coop in Minneapolis until her diagnosis of a brain tumor in May of 2015. The last year of her life was filled with much love, many tears, lots of laughter, and an incredible amount of support and caring from family and her closest friends.many of whom would accompany Marti to the nearby Common Ground Meditation Center, where she found great peace in meditation. Marti was very much an introvert, and she struggled with large groups and small talk, but to her close friends, co-workers and family she was very gregarious and incredibly givingsharing her curiosity, competitiveness and sense of drive with all of us. Marti is survived by her mother Darlene, husband Tony (Anthony) Purvey, sons Lee and Jesse Purvey, daughters Claire Purvey-Houston (Jon) and Faith Purvey, brothers Greg (Shelley), nephew Michael Chucker, Chris (Suzi) Markus, nephews JT and Kyle Markus, niece Jenna Markus, Jim (Elaine) Purvey, Helen (friend Scott Hanson) Purvey, Maria Purvey (Bob Hance), very, very dear friends Jean Boler, Ellen Gavin, Bernadette Knaeble, Patty Moses, and many, many other friends and relatives. She was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed. Memorial service Thursday, September 8, 2016 at St. Joan of Arc, 4537 3rd Ave So., Minneapolis, MN 55419. Visitation 3:30 to 5pm, followed by a memorial service in the church. Please join us for dinner and fellowship in the gym immediately following the service. Memorials preferred to St. Joan of Arc or to Common Ground Mediation Center.

Published on September 4, 2016