Mark C. Harlow, M.D.

Mark C. Harlow, M.D., 81, of Aberdeen, SD, was unexpectedly called home to be with his Heavenly Father on the afternoon of Saturday, February 22, 2025, while tinkering on projects in his shop.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Father Gregory Tschakert officiating.
A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow at the parish hall.
Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield, SD, at a later date.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, March 6, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, with a liturgical wake at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Roncalli Scholarship Fund, Aberdeen Aspire, or the Lifescapes Building Fund.
It is requested that all those planning on attending Mark’s services wear green to show their support for Mark and his beloved Eagles.
Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.
Mark (Dad, Grandpa, and The O.G.) began life in Redfield, South Dakota, on July 28, 1943, born to Maurice C. and Ila K. (Todd) Harlow, where his family farmland is still being worked today. Graduating from Redfield High School in 1961, Mark entered the University of South Dakota. Upon completing his undergraduate studies early, he entered the School of Medicine of South Dakota in 1964. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1967 from the Washington University of St. Louis, Missouri. However, this pales to the title husband, as he and his bride of 57 years, Carole Margaret Frueh, were married in Reno, Illinois, that same year on August 20.
Mark’s advanced medical education continued at the Jewish Hospital in St. Louis until 1969, when Michael, the couple’s son, was graciously welcomed into their family. They moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Harlow completed his residency in orthopedic surgery from the University of Pennsylvania in 1974. They were blessed with their first daughter, Michelle “Chelly,” that same year. Dr. Harlow was also proud of his research on using direct electrical current to cure non-healing fractures, which was published in a medical journal during this time.
Mark’s time in Philadelphia turned him into a diehard Eagles fan. He’d spend many of their home games on the 50-yard line with his orthopedic colleagues, ready to help with any injuries. He absolutely loved this NFL season. Whenever someone mentioned the Super Bowl, he’d light up with pride for his beloved Eagles, proudly wearing one of his many Eagles Jackets.
Mark and his family moved to Groton, Connecticut, where he worked as co-chief of orthopedic surgery. Mark’s rebellious side came out in Connecticut while serving in the Navy. He refused to wear the usual Navy medical officer’s uniform and even mixed and matched socks. After all, who would dare mess with the chief?
Dr. Harlow was an amazing orthopedic surgeon who truly cared for his patients. He was called “Doc” or “Bones” by all those who worked with him. He had the pleasure of working with some of the best orthopedic surgeons in Aberdeen for almost his whole career. He started at St. Luke’s Hospital in 1976. A year later, his family was blessed with another daughter, Margaret “Maggie.”
Dr. Harlow, a surgeon who practiced for nearly four decades, touched the lives of countless families. He miraculously restored a patient’s arm after a near-complete accidental amputation. His top priority was always the patient’s well-being. For a severely injured little girl whose family couldn’t afford surgery, a beautifully painted portrait from her mother was all he accepted for his care. That painting still proudly hangs in the kitchen to this day.
When asked if he still enjoyed practicing surgery, he’d simply say, “Oh, yes, anyone who didn’t like me left years ago. Those I didn’t like, I let go many years ago, and I’ve loved all my patients!” Throughout the medical community and beyond, it was simply assumed that if Dr. Harlow couldn’t fix it, no one could.
Mark was a master of his craft and a perfectionist in almost everything he did, except for hot yoga. But hey, he was known to rock a Speedo at the lake of Ozarks and in the backyard swimming pool. He had many hobbies, and the list goes on and on. Some of his favorites include painting, welding, hunting, stained glass work, driving anything yellow and green with a John Deere logo, taking care of his bonsai trees, scuba diving, woodworking, having one of the biggest saltwater aquariums in South Dakota, riding his Harley Davidson, and flying his beloved twin Baron airplane. In 2001, Mark made it into the history books with his trophy elk! Mark was a big traveler, but he’d often take credit for planning trips, even though he was usually the one who was hesitant to go. He’s been to some amazing places, like Finland, Sweden, Austria, France, Germany, the Cayman Islands, Canada, and so many more places. He also took hunting trips to Russia, Africa, and the Arctic. The most recent trip was a 2024 Christmas trip to Costa Rica, where he and his family had an incredible time and made memories that will last a lifetime.
After retiring, he found happiness on their family farm in Illinois. He’d spend his days driving his beloved John Deere tractors, tending to the crops with his nephew Jerry. His family loved seeing him so content.
Our dad was a true hero, always putting his family first. He loved his grandchildren, Madison, Charlie, and Mark, more than anything. He spent countless hours with them, giving them hugs, lap time, and watching their ball games. He loved driving around his grandson Mark so that he could memorize the streets of Aberdeen. He also loved helping them prepare for the holidays and celebrating their birthdays. He was the leader of our family, the original gangster! Though we all knew he was special, none of it would have been possible without the love of our amazing mom and his adoring wife, Carole! He lived life to the fullest and we’ll miss him dearly.
Mark is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Carole; son, Dr. Michael Harlow; daughters Chelly Harlow (Joe Williams – boyfriend) and Maggie Harlow (Dr. Michael Noffze – fiancé); grandchildren Madison “Madi,” Charlie, and Mark; brother Todd Harlow; nephews, JP Harlow and Kyle Harlow; nieces, Sarah Kline and Ashley Stone; sister-in-law Andrea Harlow; brother-in-law Carl Frueh; Carole’s niece and nephew Jerry and Sue Ann Nelson and their children Afton (Marco) and Brock; and Carole’s nephew, Keith Frueh.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice C. and Ila K. Harlow; brother, Kevin Harlow; daughter-in-law, Adele Harlow; and two sisters-in-law, Emma Sue and Mary Anne Frueh.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Michael C. Harlow, Dr. Mike Noffze, Jerry Nelson, Dr. Chad Stapp, Scott Lautenschlager, Doug Wanttie, Bryan Delzer, Jon Dabney, Darin Arment, and Joe Williams.