Mark Spande, 53 years, passed away at home Saturday, October 2, 2021. Born August 25, 1968, in Winona, he was the eldest son of Paul A. and Janice (Ellestad) Spande. In 1987, he graduated from Mabel-Canton High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He then enrolled in Dunwoody College of Technology and the Winona Area Technical School. He was an active 4-H member, and his keen interest in radio-controlled model airplanes earned him a trip to the Minnesota State Fair.
Mark’s interest and competency with cars and farm equipment led to many repair and rebuild projects. The latest projects were the Sylvan Valley Construction Company and a three-generation Spande – Paul, Mark, and Tyler – rebuild of an Oliver tractor. Mark especially enjoyed his ATV rides with Bear and Boots beside him.
Mark is survived by his mother Janice, Mabel, brothers Todd, Superior, Wis., and Justin, Hamburg, Minn.; nephew Tyler Spande, Lanesboro; niece Alyssa (Austin) Ryan, Burr Oak; grand-niece Harper Ryan and grand-nephews Oaklee and Tripp Ryan; his step-daughter Kelly Carlson, San Diego; his special friend Nancy Gjere, Mabel; and his beloved dog Bear.
Mark was very involved in community work, always ready to lead or lend a hand to friend or stranger. He was a member of the Scheie Lutheran Church Council and volunteered for many years at the Catholic Charities Warming House, La Crosse, Wis.
Mark will long be remembered for his humility, kindness, and generosity. His easy and infectious laugh lit up many a group of family and friends. He was a caretaker of the land, the environment, and, above all, people.
Mark was predeceased by his wife Donna, his father Paul, and his grandparents Alton and Iva Spande and Sanford and Gertrude Ellestad.
Services for Mark will be at the Scheie Lutheran Church, Saturday, October 9. Visitation will be from 9-10:45 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m.. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
Lance Peterson says
Mark is one of the most kind and generous souls I’ve ever met.
I met Mark several years back while dear hunting his land. There were 7 of us in our hunting party. We always stayed at the Big Woods campground, but several years ago. Walter passed and we had nowhere to set up our camper. Mark not only let us set up along side his home but invited us to stay in his basement if needed. He also let us store our deer stands in one of his barns until we needed them. He hadn’t a clue who we were at the time, but that didn’t matter to him. We all grew to know and love Mark over the years. One of the few people in this world to open up his home to complete strangers. We had some great times with him during those few days a year. He will always be in my thoughts and stories every opening season.
My prayers go out to him family.
Thanks Mark for being our friend.