Mark Neels

Mark Neels, 73 Bismarck, passed away September 2, 2026. Funeral services will be on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the service.

Mark Wesley Neels was born July 14, 1953 in Wadena Minnesota to John and Hedy (Guse) Neels, the fourth of six children. Mark attended St John’s Parochial School in Ottertail was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. He graduated from Perham high school in 1971 then attended Staples Votech College for diesel mechanics. After the death of his father at age 8, Mark worked for relatives, for turkey farmers and drove milk truck, gravel truck and always enjoyed working with his brother Roger.

Mark married Rania Steinkraus on December 4, 1976 and together raised three children, Christopher, Jessica and Dalyce. Mark and his family lived in several towns in Minnesota working at various jobs and his family was able to take a trip to Alaska, where his brother Dennis and family lived. Mark had a passion for driving trucks cross country over the United States, logging over a million miles. He drove gravel trucks and worked for Strata & Gravel Products.

In 2014 Mark met the love of his life, Anita Loeb, and they married on February 14,2015, blending families adding a bonus daughter, Andrea and son. Aaron. Together Mark and Anita cared for Anita’s Dad until his passing in 2017, enjoying several trips to Arizona, fishing and camping.

In December 2017 Mark was diagnosed with B Cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and went through chemo treatments. In the fall, Mark started driving for Harlow’s School Bus Service in Mandan ND and thoroughly enjoyed his job, spending early mornings and evenings driving kids to and from school, to activities on weekends and in 2022 Mark started driving school bus for Martin Luther Christian School in Bismarck, a job he thoroughly enjoyed!

Mark and Anita spent time camping and fishing, (some of the best fishing was this summer) with his brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, Oryn and Marilyn, trips to Medora, gardening, and helping others, and in winter Mark was known to drive his John Deere tractor up and down the sidewalks all around the block just trying to help his neighbors. A good game of pinochle or games with friends and relatives was a highlight of the winter evenings.

Mark‘s greatest blessings in his life were his wife, Anita, whom he was referred to as “My Knight in Denim Blue Bibs,” his children and grandchildren, great grandchildren of whom are many. Mark had challenges in life from surviving a semi wreck in 1993, to numerous recent health issues but through them all Mark was dependent on his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and entered into Eternity as he listened to the Hymn, “Because He Lives” on September 2, 2026.

Mark is survived by his cherished wife, Anita; his son, Christopher, and his family; his daughter, Jessica, and her family; his son, Dalyce and his family; daughter Andrea, and her family and Aaron, and his family. He also leaves his brothers, Dennis(Sue), Jon(Vanessa), and Scott(Shelly); his sister in-love and brother in love, Marilyn and Oryn Wagner and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his father and mother, John and Hedy Neels; his brother, Roger; his sister, Kathryn; his grandparents, and his “Brother from another mother”, Jim Wallenberg.

The family would like to gratefully thank Dr. Kelly Longie, and his staff, Dr. Fischer and his staff, especially Kim, Annetta, and Aubrey, Dr. Hoyt and his staff and all those who treated Mark at CHI Saint Alexius Hospital, and to Don and Emmy Kraft for their endless help and support over the last 3 years.