Mark W. Nielsen

Brother & Friend

Passed away suddenly & unexpectedly on March 15, 2014. He was born on August 14, 1956 and was a graduate of Harding High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics from the University of MN, graduating with honors. Mark had a great passion for words and puzzles, and could say in a simple sentence what would take paragraphs for the rest of us to articulate.

He was a loyal employee for JC Penney’s in Roseville for more than 28 years and called many of his coworkers dear friends. He held many different positions in his career there from sales to management, but most enjoyed supporting the computer systems and his most recent position overseeing the shipping and receiving of merchandise. Mark mainly enjoyed the team environment at Penney’s, and his roles where he interacted with everyone in the store. One coworker claims he thought Mark’s last name was Help because he constantly heard employees say “Mark, help!”.

In June of 2001, he married Vicki Popple and quickly became an important part of Vicki’s extended family. Mark and Vicki’s great love for each other and their commitment to a covenant marriage with Christ were evident to everyone who knew them. They built a wonderful life together in their home in east St. Paul, very near where Mark grew up. Their days were filled with special moments spent with friends who became family and family who became friends.

There aren’t enough words to describe Mark but he was an intelligent, wise, giving, kind, loyal, and patience man who worked as hard at his job as he did at being a huge part of the lives of those who he loved. Mark took great joy in the simple things in life. He was a great cook and loved to entertain, always overjoyed when the kitchen was full of people. Entertaining often involved simple board games and always involved laughter and hugs.

Mark also enjoyed traveling, hiking, and photography and he and Vicki were blessed with many trips and adventures which involved all three of these things. Whether he was hiking the north shores of Minnesota, exploring the Egyptian Pyramids, photographing animals in the Serengeti, standing at the shores of Galilee, or marveling at the Roman coliseum or Athens Parthenon, the scientist in him never missed the smallest the detail of the forest and the explorer in him reveled in discovering past civilizations and how the earth was formed. He had a life-long love of learning with an incredible memory which made him a challenging opponent at Jeopardy and a great partner at board games.

Mark had a deep fondness and love for his many nieces and nephews, and was proud to be a great- and even a great-great uncle. To his adult nieces and nephews, he was affirming, supportive and a great mentor. They describe him as a “Pandora’s Box of logical thought and raw intelligence who possessed a quiet humor and took great delight whenever he could surprise them”. With his younger nieces and nephews, he encouraged education, technology, and travel, and never passed up an opportunity to read to them or join them in the waterpark, playground, or museum.

To Mark’s three siblings, he was not only a wonderful big brother but also a friend. Even though he was a very humble man, he took great joy in being reminded often that he was “mom’s favorite”. Mark refused to use the words “in-law” and only referred to his siblings’ spouses and Vicki’s siblings and their spouses as his brothers and sisters.

He was an obedient and respectful son. When Mark’s mother and father needed assistance with their care, Mark worked diligently with his siblings to care for all of his parent's needs including keeping their refrigerator full of healthy meals. He served his parents with great pride and felt it was an honor to be trusted with their care.

We struggle to answer the question of why God took this fine man from us so quickly. His absence has left a huge hole in our lives. But we also try to take joy in the thought that he is with our Lord now. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven. - Mathew 5:12

Please join us in celebrating Mark’s life.

Memorial Gathering:

Fri, Mar 21, 5- 8 PM with remembrances at 7:30

Wulff Funeral Home, 1485 White Bear Ave, St. Paul, MN

Memorial Service:

Sat, Mar 22

11 AM at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, with gathering 10 - 11 AM

1669 Arcade St. N, St. Paul, MN

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the family for later designation.

The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. Romans 8:18 NKJV.