Mark A. Van Liere
September 28, 1960 ~ January 12, 2012
Mark Allen Van Liere, 51, of Brandon, SD, died Thursday, January 12, 2012, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation will begin at 5pm, Sunday, January 15, 2012, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon, with a sharing time from 7 until 8pm. Memorial services will be held on Monday, January 16, at 3pm, with visitation one hour prior, at Heartland Funeral Home with Pastor Lee Green officiating.
Mark Allen Van Liere was born September 28, 1960 to Roy and Elaine (Van Dyk) Van Liere in Dell Rapids, SD. He was raised in Colton on the farm. He attended school at Tri-Valley High School. In 1978, Mark started working for Curt Rentschler in the plumbing trade and he eventually received his Journeyman’s license. During the year of 1982, Mark met and married Lori Anderson in Coleman, SD. They had two children, Jocelyn and Marcus. Eventually, Mark moved about the country working in Houston, TX, Rapid City, and back to Sioux Falls before he settled back in the Brandon area in 1993. Mark worked with Bob Horsley for ten years removing asbestos in construction. After that, he worked as a plumbing foreman for Midwestern Mechanical at the USD-Sanford Medical campus and later with Krier and Blain.
Mark was a fun-loving, adventurous and charismatic person who loved life, loved helping people, and loved to make people laugh. Hunting, fishing, and golf tourneys were only a few of his passions. People who really knew Mark, knew that he loved to cook, bake and grill. He was a perfectionist at ribs, pork loin and pecan pies. Mark even had his own recipe for BBQ sauce that remains under lock and key! Mark also regarded a couple of his favorite meals to be “late night hot dogs” and “refrigerator trash night.”
Mark was a member of the “Brandon Contractors and Friends” and could be found helping anyone with a need, anytime, anywhere. Giving back was his passion. Mark also was an honorary member of the Brandon VFW where he was notorious for his BBQ Rib Night specialties.
Mark will be greatly missed by his two children; Jocelyn (Sam) Burtnett, Sioux Falls and Marcus Van Liere of Apple Valley, MN, one granddaughter; Amery Burtnett, his parents; Roy and Elaine Van Liere, two brothers; Doug (Bridgett) Van Liere, Madison, SD and Mike (Wendy) Van Liere, Whitehouse, TN, four nieces and 1 nephew, and special friend and companion; Tina Ferguson, Sioux Falls, and Justine Ferguson, Vermillion, and Amos (Ashlee) Ferguson, Sioux Falls and Ezzie Ferguson.
Mark was preceded in death by one brother; Terry Van Liere
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mark Van Liere Memorial fund.
What a beautiful tribute to Mark! Every family reunion, Mark was there by the grill, cooking away. The dinners he made to auction off to help pay for the family reunion were coveted by all and the most hotly bid-on items at the reunion. He was always ready with a smile, a hug, and a hello whenever I saw him. I am blessed to have known and been related to Mark. We will miss him greatly.
I am so sorry to read about Mark. I can’t imagine losing a child. Remember the good times and cherish them. My prayers are with you.
We are keeping the entire Van Liere family in our thoughts and prayers. May God continue to provide that extra dose of strength and love.
We got in a bidding war at the last family reunion and got to experience Marks scrumptious dinner and I have to say it was worth EVERY PENNY spent. It was fun talking to him about how much he enjoyed cooking and whenever we visited South Dakota and got together, we always looked forward to what would Mark bring to eat! He had a great smile, hug and a wonderful spirit that will live on through his family……You will be missed.
Mark was a good boss and a great friend. I worked with Mark first at Asbestos Inc., then at Horsley Specialties Inc. and finally TAC Environmental.
The Mark that I knew was a loving father to his kids. A wonderful friend who always had a kind word, and an avid sportsman who was always ready to show off his cullinary abilities much to our benefit.
Mark will be missed by all.
May God Bless You Mark and comfort those you have left behind.
Sorry to hear of Marks passing, he was a good friend I knew him since childhood,he will be missed by many.Pro Tune Up
Sorry to hear about mark, I worked with mark for years he tought me a lot about
plumbing, I still use a lot of what he tought me to this day. We had very fun times together me and him were always pulling pranks on each other like the time he bolted my tool box to the floor and when I went to grab it I pulled the whole top of and he laughed so hard I thought he was going to cry and I will never forget the good times we had. R.I.P.
The Van Liere family will be in my prayers<3
So sorry to hear of your loss of Mark. We know he was a great husband, father and grandfather. He will truly be missed but his memories will continue through you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Love in Christ, Ken & Linda
I was sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Mark and I knew each other from the time we were toddlers. We remained friends throughout school. The childhood memories are far to many to mention here, but are important to me. I recall returning to SD for my wedding as a young man, and sure enough, Mark was there. A loos of this nature conjures up many memories and in this situation, for me, that includes Marks family also, to whom I express my empathy.
Mark always had a humor and wit that will be missed. A steak and a beer with Mark was always an enjoyable time and boy could he grill a steak. Our hearts and prayers are with Mark’s family. The world is a better place for Mark having been with us for awhile.
I AM SO SORRY TO HERE ABOUT MARK. I WORKED WITH MARK AT WIEMAN PLUMBING ((RAPID CITY)) IN THE MID 1980’s. WE HAD A LOT OF GREAT TIMES. HE WAS A FUN LOVING PERSON ALWAYS OUT FOR A GOOD TIME. MARK WAS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO OFFER HIS HELP WITH ANYTHING. MANY GOOD TIMES COOKING AT THE GRILL, HUNTING AND AT THE GOLF COURSE. MY THOUGHS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY. THANK YOU MARK FOR THE MEMORIES, WE WILL ALL MISS YOU!!!!!!
I am utterly shocked and in tears as I write this with hands shaking. I knew Mark since I was born and grew up with him and his parents and brothers as well. Mark was without a doubt a “One of a Kind” type of man. I cannot begin to mention the vast catalog of memories I have of Mark, but I cherish every one deeply. To Mark’s family with whom I am still and always will be close with, I send my deepest sympathy! I learned of Mark’s passing only minutes ago and am deeply saddened at his loss.