Mark Gerard Zielinski began his journey home to everlasting life April 23,2023 at the age of 76.
Mark was the loving brother of Paul (Monica), Joan (Larry Grace), and was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Lottie, sisters Ruth (Jack Annen), Barbara (Samuel Basile), Kathleen and brother Tom. He will be lovingly remembered by his many nieces and nephews: Kurt Annen, Jeanne Knauf, Colleen Kaufman, Michael Annen, Mary Carol Annen, David Basile, Connie Lee Basile, Dan Zielinski, Gregory Zielinski, Robert Zielinski, Sara Balas, and Isaac Grace.
Mark was the last child of seven born on October 6, 1946 to loving parents Stanley and Lottie Zielinski in West Allis, WI.
When Mark was a child, he attended St. Aloysius Grade school through eighth grade where he always excelled in science and math. At this young age he also began to show a keen interest in the outdoors and honed his fishing skills at the local Greenfield Park lagoon. He brought home bluegills and cleaned them himself and mother would fry them for him.
In 1964, Mark graduated from Pius High School Wauwatosa where he was active in the sports of basketball and cross country. On weekends he could be found in a nearby woods hunting small game and fishing with dear friends: Larry Hanson and Jimmy Bishop. In the summers he worked with his father, Stanley, as a machinist at Falk Corporation in Milwaukee.
After high school, Mark attended UW-Stout for 2 years where he enjoyed fraternity life and then transferred to Marquette University to complete a Bachelor Degree in Science. He was accepted in the school of Dentistry where four years later he graduated with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery. He worked as a dentist at Dental Associates of Milwaukee and Green Bay. When Mark lived in Milwaukee, he met Nancy Barnett through dental meetings and associations. They became life-long friends and she got him involved in triathlons. They would bike, swim and run together as teammates. As Mark transitioned into retirement, he moved from West Allis to the Manawa, WI area where he built a home. There he found respite in the peace and quiet of his new surrounding forestlands filled with deer, turkey, and adventure. He built a hunting shack and called it the “Naughty Dog Hunt Club” where he would entertain close hunting friends: Mike Pamperin, Rich Paulson, Pete and Steve Putchinski, Tim Drath, Dr. John Carlson and more. At camp he was always the early riser and gave his morning call to get up by yelling “Daylight in the Swamps.” He soon earned the nickname “Daylight” that stayed with him.
Mark was a life-long supporter of wildlife conservation and was an active member and supporter of Ducks Unlimited. He also loved to watch the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Bucks and he often had a game playing on the radio or TV in the background. Mark was always quick to share a new joke and will be remembered by his warm smile.
Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.hollyfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send a memorial gift to Ducks Unlimited and the Humane Society of Waupaca County.
The family would like to thank the many people who blessed Mark’s life; including those at Iola Living Assistance and the staff at North Haven in Stevens Point.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, at 1:30 PM on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, with Reverend Dr. Charles Tews, officiating. Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, from 12:30 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home.
A luncheon will follow.