Mark Wayne Makela

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Mark Wayne Makela, 71, Green Bay, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Mark was born on Nov. 22, 1952 in Kimball, the son of the now late Waino and Sylvia (Kilponen) Makela. Mark proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1972 until his honorable discharge in 1974. On Aug. 15, 1981, he married the former Lori Jacobson in Ironwood, Michigan. Mark served in various teaching capacities, but his greatest calling in life was being a stay-at-home dad for his three children, Matthew, Wayne and Meggie.

Alongside his family, Mark's faith in Jesus was the most important part of his life. A lover of music, he was a member of the church choir and volunteered in various positions at church.

Mark was a true outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and just enjoying the beauty of nature. He was a sports enthusiast and loved watching the Packers and Brewers. He loved cooking and baking and could virtually whip up any recipe and even created new ones. He had a stellar wit, a wide array of jokes and had a knack of making people laugh.

Mark was a loving son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, a friend to many and will always be lovingly remembered and sorrowfully missed.

Mark is survived by his loving wife, Lori; his three children, Matthew Makela, Wayne Makela and Meggie (Tim) Janssen; nine grandchildren, Reagan, Noelle, Brooke, Aaron, Luke, Noah, Austin, Josh and Halle; his father-in-law, Lloyd Jacobson; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann (Bill) Kangas and Chrissy (Roger) Saari; a brother and sister-in-law, Dave (Sharon) Makela; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sheri (Jerry) Trotochaud. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Susie (Mike) Fitzgerald.

A gathering of family and friends was held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd mausoleum chapel, at 2770 Bay Settlement Road in Green Bay. A funeral service followed at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Matt Baye officiating. Burial was to be in the cemetery there.

In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy a memorial fund has been established in his name. The family would like to offer a warm note of appreciation to the staffs of Patient Pines and Unity Hospice for all of their loving care and kindness shown to Mark - your kindness will never be forgotten.