Mark Douglas Schaar, 77, passed away unexpectedly on April 28, 2026 at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his loving family. Memorial services will be held Friday, July 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierce Congregational Church in rural Scranton, ND with Pastor Mary Peterson and Paul Hendrickson officiating.

Mark was born April 8, 1949 in Dickinson, ND. He was the eldest of five children to Roy and Alta Schaar. Mark’s early education was at the Woodberry country school and later graduated from Scranton Public School. After graduation, he enlisted in the army and served during the Vietnam War. Upon completion of his military service, he attended Bismarck State College where he met his future wife, Judith Selders. Mark and Judy were married on July 29, 1972. After graduating college, Mark and Judy moved to rural Scranton, ND where Mark farmed for 15 years and served in the North Dakota Army National Guard. He later returned to college at Dickinson State, receiving a degree in Agricultural Business Management, and worked for the USDA until his retirement.

During their retirement, Mark and Judy enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states and many National Parks. Mark enjoyed hunting, fishing, card games, and working on Judy’s projects. Family was the most important thing to Mark. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Mark was a member of the Pierce Congregational Church in Scranton, ND, the American Legion Harry W. Lindberg Post 151 in Scranton, ND, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mark will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Judith Schaar; daughters, Gretchen (Eric) Dobervich and Erin Schaar; son, Stephen Schaar; grandson, Tristan Schaar; granddaughter, Ava Schaar; mother, Alta Barstad Schaar; godson, Jeremy Cebula; brother, Scott (Margaret) Schaar and family; sister, Susan (Tim) Layden and family; sister, Cynthia (Barry Bentz) Schaar and family; sister-in-law, Margaret (Lesley) Schlosser and family; brother-in-law, Rodney Selders and family; uncle, Theodore Pedeliski; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Schaar; brother, Lance Schaar; in-laws, Rodney and Elizabeth Selders; paternal grandparents, Frederick and Alma Schaar; and maternal grandparents, Thorvald and Ragna Barstad.

Services provided by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo, ND and Krebsbach & Kulseth Funeral Home in Bowman, ND.