MARK KOHLBECK

Mark F. Kohlbeck, age 70, of Neenah passed away on Friday, August 26, 2011 at home with his beloved wife at his side, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born on May 14, 1941 in Algoma, Wisconsin, son of the late Kenneth and Marjorie (Flaherty) Kohlbeck. Mark graduated from Algoma High School in 1959, after which he went into the United States Army. A few years later he would join the Army National Guard. On September 30, 1967 he married Patricia Dufek at St. Mary Catholic Church in Algoma. Mark retired from Riverside Paper in 2000 after nearly 35 years, he retired from the National Guard in 2001, and then took a job as a cook with Neenah Joint School District and Aramark. He was an active member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mark was a very strong, loving, charitable man, whose dedication to his family was tremendous. He enjoyed gardening and working in his yard, travelling the country, cooking, and time spent with his family. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife and best friend, Patricia; his daughter, Christine (Thomas) Diedrich, Neenah; his sons: Jeffrey (DeAnn), Appleton, Michael (Jody), Appleton; his grandchildren: Trisha, Brian, Brandon, Aryah, Ellison; great grandchild, Hayden; sisters: Sr. Jolynn Kohlbeck, Manitowoc, Kathleen (Larry) Delarwelle, Burnsville, MN, Barbara Kostichka, Fort Atkinson; Theresa (Stan) Lardnois, Green Bay; siblings-in-law: Beverly (Gary) Schmeling, Sturgeon Bay, Kathleen Coppersmith, Sturgeon Bay, Gerald (Leann) Dufek, De Pere, Mary Bouche, Brussels. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by four brothers-in-law: Randy, Charlie, Dick, and Reggie. The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church with Father Larry Seidl officiating. Friends will be received at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Algoma, where full military honors will be performed. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Marks name for the American Cancer Society. A very special thank you to the staff of Affinity Visiting Nurses Hospice, especially Lori, for your care and compassion.