Douglas Marklein

1956 - 2026

Douglas I. "Doug" Marklein, 70, of Janesville, Wis., passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on January 21, 2026. Doug bravely faced a cancer diagnosis for three years, guided by an expert medical team. He was born on January 6, 1956, in Reedsburg, Wis., the son of Leo G. "Lee" and M. Marcelyn (Liegel) Marklein. He graduated from Janesville Craig High School in 1974 and from UW-Madison in 1979 with a degree in Construction Administration.

Doug married Jean M. Morse on October 23, 1982, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Janesville. Following in the footsteps of his father and Uncle Don, he was respected and well known as an owner of Marklein Builders. Over the course of his career, he designed over 2,000 custom homes and was a member of the South Central Wisconsin Home Builders Association. Doug enjoyed his community and was dedicated to improving the city he was proud of. He was a member of the Janesville City Council from 2013-2023, including two terms as Council President, and also served on the Janesville Plan Commission since 2011.

Some may affectionately know Doug as Harry Rag, his identity for 44 years as a DJ at WORT-FM in Madison, where he lovingly spent many Friday nights sharing his passion and knowledge of music with listeners on his radio show, Something Else!

While Doug kept himself busy, he was never too busy for his family. He enjoyed traveling to Frank Lloyd Wright homes, working in the yard, and building memories with his children and grandchildren.

To quote Harry Rag: "My wish to you is that you enjoy every day, be passionate about your loves, Be kind to everyone you encounter and keep listening to new music - it will keep you young."

Doug is survived by his wife, Jean Marklein; daughters, Erin (Benjamin) Kollenbroich, and Caitlin (Steven) Nelson; brother, Robert (Jane) Marklein; sisters, Mary Beth (Peter Kunkel) Marklein, Kelly Marklein, and Kristine Marklein; granddaughters, Madeleine and Harriet Kollenbroich; and a large and loving extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Marcelyn Marklein; in-laws, Harold and Catherine Morse; brother-in-law, Terry Morse; and sister-in-law, Debbie Morse.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, at ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH, Janesville. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 29th at HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME, 1010 N. Wright Road, Janesville and from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, January 30th at the CHURCH. A private interment will be at a later date in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Doug's family would like to thank Mercy Hospice for their care in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WORT-FM, Echo Inc. (food pantry), or another cause close to your heart as Doug would have done. Online condolences can be shared at www.henkeclarson.com.