Mark Brown, son of William O. and Lauretta A. Brown, was born October 26, 1953. He grew up in Hannaford and attended Hannaford Public School where he graduated in May 1971. Marlys Gronneberg, daughter of Milford and Sylvia Gronneberg, was born December 6, 1953. She grew up on a farm until November 1965, when the family moved into Hannaford. She attended Hannaford Public School and graduated in May 1971.
Both Mark and Marlys continued their education. Mark attended Valley City State College, Valley City, North Dakota, his first year arid then transferred to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He graduated from LIND in May 1975. Marlys attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and graduated in May 1975.
June 14, 1975, Mark and Marlys were married at Faith Lutheran Church, Hannaford, North Dakota. They have lived in Hannaford since that time. Mark began work at the Security State Bank of Hannaford in May 1975. He is currently President of the Security State Bank. Marlys worked at the North Dakota High School Activities Association in Valley City in 1975-76. She then taught Vocational Business at the Sheyenne Valley Vocational Center in Cooperstown, North Dakota, from 1976 through 1983. Currently she is working at the Security State Bank of Hannaford.
Mark and Marlys Brown have two daughters, Kaare Elizabeth, born November 17, 1980; and Kristin Ann, born June 2, 1983.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 246