Mark A. Nielsen

Mark Nielsen, age 62, passed away peacefully at home early Thursday morning, February 2nd, 2023 after his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. Mark was born May 12th, 1960 in Kewanee Illinois to Eugene and Marilyn Nielsen. Mark grew up with his parents and five brothers and sisters in Annawan, IL before leaving home to receive his Bachelors degree from Illinois State University. Mark then later received a Masters Degree in Geology from the University of Iowa.

Mark met the love of his life, Susan, while they both worked at Rocky Flats near Denver, Colorado. On July 4th, 1994, Mark and Susan married in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and then spent 28 blissfully wedded years in Colorado where they raised their daughter, Emily.

Mark spent his career working in IT at various companies including his own consulting business that he started in 2000. Eventually Mark combined his love of geology with his passion for helping people and became the Associate Director of the Bureau of Land Management, later retiring in May, 2021.

Mark had a true passion for geology and loved teaching everyone about rock formations on hikes and during road trips through the mountains. He loved being outside and would find the sunniest spot to sit and read for hours on end. Mark took great pride in his yard and could be found on any afternoon busy gardening away or tending to his koi ponds. Mark was quite the athlete and loved riding his bike and running up Green Mountain. Mark had many wonderful friends who he considered part of his family and spent many joyful evenings hosting parties in his backyard.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Eugene. He is survived by his wife, Susan, his daughter, Emily, and his son in law, Braiden. Also his mother, Marilyn, and 5 brothers and sisters; Clay, Brenda, Sandra, Linda, and Bruce. Mark was kind hearted, fun loving, and God fearing. He touched so many lives and will be missed by many. A celebration of life will take place at a later date once we have some warm sun to sit in. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark’s name to the Lustgarten Foundation to help support researchers in their mission of transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.