Dr. Mark Robert Lewis, DVM, Lisbon, ND, age 69, passed away at CHI Lisbon on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Mark was born February 24, 1953, in Hettinger, ND, to Robert Murrel Lewis and Helen Marie (Sather) Lewis. He was raised on the ranch west of Lodgepole, SD, near the Ellingson store and Post Office in Perkins County. As the oldest of 3 children, Mark learned life lessons from his family, the land, and the animals that made him into the caring, compassionate, hard-working veterinarian he was.

Mark’s first 8 years of formal education were at the Ellingson country school in South Dakota. He graduated from Hettinger High School in 1971 as salutatorian. He attended North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, for undergraduate studies and continued on to Iowa State University in Ames, IA, receiving his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1978. He graduated at the top of his class.

Mark received the prestigious “Gentle Doctor” Award from the Iowa State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association as selected by classmates as exemplifying the ideals of the veterinary medical profession.

Mark moved to Lisbon and partnered with Dr. Larry Hovland at Hovland Veterinary Service. He took ownership of the practice, and he continued to serve the Lisbon, Oakes, and LaMoure communities and surrounding areas in North Dakota and South Dakota with compassion and integrity. He retired from the large and small animal practice in December 2021 after 43 years of service. He was truly devoted to his profession and valued his clients and their friendship throughout the years. He also maintained a close relationship with his family. It was usual for him to call family on the way home after late night service calls.

Mark is survived by Tammy Nelson, Lisbon, ND; sons Dan (Stefanie) Lewis, Rijswijk, Netherlands and Matthew (Amber) Lewis, Fairfax, IA; granddaughter Karley Lewis, Cedar Rapids, IA; brother Jim (Melissa) Lewis, Bismarck, ND; aunt Patti Ohnemus, Spearfish, SD; many other family; and good friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Helen Lewis; sister Connie Lewis Priest; grandparents Murrel and Agnes Lewis and Oscar and Ruth Sather; aunts and uncles Robert and Marilyn Mundahl, Bill Ohnemus, Birger and Barbara Sather, Earl and Liv Laufer, Darrell and Joan Bowman; and first cousin Stanley Laufer.

“When we think of Mark, his LIFE was his veterinary service.”