Mark W. Thompson

On Monday, December 15, 2025, Mark W. Thompson, age 73, went home to be with his Lord surrounded by his wife, brother, son, and two beloved friends. Mark entered the world in Eau Claire, Wi, son of William and Alyce Thompson, on July 3, 1952. In his teen years, he moved to Neenah and later to Palatine, IL. Mark attended Valparaiso University, Indiana, was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering.

It was at the University of Valparaiso that Mark met his wife and life partner, Susan. Together they shared 54 years of adventure, hardship, love, and faith in their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They were a great team.

Mark’s work ethic, engineering bent, and desire to create manifested early in his life as he always had a project going. In childhood, he developed an elaborate model railroad track with various village scenes. He was a member of Young Life and if there was something to be designed or built, Mark was the guy. He designed and built homecoming floats and when Susan and Mark married while in college, he built furniture and cabinets to outfit their student housing apartment. He was just born with that gift and ability.

After college, Mark and Susan returned to Wisconsin and made their home in Wausau. Mark was a civil engineer at Becker Hoppe for many years and then got an itch to get away from the creating phase and take a more hands-on approach to his trade by becoming the DPW for the then Town of Weston. In 1997, Mark started his own consulting firm, Marathon Technical Services. He was a man of integrity, worked hard and was dedicated to providing quality service at a fair price. Make always gave more than expected.

As Mark pondered retirement, he began overseeing building projects and donating his engineering services. He was project manager for two major building projects at Covenant Community Presbyterian Church and most recently, project manager for the Bridge Street Mission conversion of the Pied Piper Shoe Factory into a haven for recovery, community support and fellowship. Mark worked tirelessly on these labors of love.

Mark was a pillar in his church, in the community and in his family. He was beloved husband to Susan for 52 years; loving father to Bradley, Andy and Michael Thompson (Holly); grandfather to Dalton Wierzba and Aria Pickering Gross (Parker); UM (Uncle Mark) to many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Brother to Paul Thompson (Pam) Louisville, KY and Chris McCormick (Jim) Rolling Meadows, IL; Brother-in-law to Linda and Tony Suminski, New Berlin, WI, Perry and Marge Anderson, Three Lakes WI; dear friend to Tina Spiegel; and Foster Dad to several young men.

The family gathering place - located on Whitefish Lake in Three Lakes, WI, was the site of Chef Mark’s fabulous meals and his pancake breakfasts. He was patient with young fisher people, taking them out on his pontoon boat, baiting, untangling and unhooking fish and other fisherman! And UM was the guy who loaded all the chairs into his pickup truck and headed into town early on the 4th of July to set up seats for “the crew”.

Our hearts will grieve the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend everywhere we go. He was a man of few words, but his impact was powerful. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:16 He poured his love out to others in works: in the meals he prepared, in the small acts of kindness he did in anonymity, and in the large undertakings he oversaw for the benefit of the community. He was a humble, unassuming servant.

He worked tirelessly his entire life for the benefit of others and put his wishes on hold. Two years ago, he began to get back to building another model railroad layout that spans a 20’X12’ space that he designed and built specifically for that purpose. While trying to recuperate at the Mayo hospital Mark’s goal was to be well enough to finish his train room. Sadly, that was not to be.

We now envision Mark helping to layout plans for the New Heaven and New Earth. Mark bore much fruit in his lifetime on earth. He will surely be busy adding rooms to His Father’s house. Who knows, maybe there will even be a train room.

Rest well, faithful servant and God Bless you, our beloved one, until we meet again.

A Memorial Service in Mark's honor will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Covenant Community Presbyterian Church with Pastor Jim Gates presiding. Visitation will be from 1:00PM until the time of service at the church. 

Memorials in Mark’s memory may got to Covenant Community Presbyterian Church’s “Feed the Flock” campaign or the Bridge Street Mission.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. You may sign the family guestbook at www.ascendweston.org.