Mark Moehlenbrock

Mark William Moehlenbrock (Monk)

Mark Moehlenbrock passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the Minneapolis Veterans Home where he had been residing since September 21, 2023.

Mark was born August 18, 1951, in Virginia, Minn., to Jack and Mary Moehlenbrock. The family moved to Biwabik when Mark was four years old. Mark graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1969 where he played basketball, baseball, and football.

After high school, Mark volunteered for the Army. He served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1972. He was proud to serve his country.

Mark returned to Minnesota where he continued his education. He received an HVAC degree from Dunwoody Technical Institute in 1974, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from Bemidji State in 1981, and a Master’s degree in Industrial Safety and Hygiene from UMD in 1985. During this time he worked at Little Judge’s Liquor in Minneapolis, Erie Mining, and at Jack’s Bar in Biwabik—experiences that paid off more in the form of good stories than in monetary wealth.

In 1979 Mark married Tere Del Caro. They had two children and would remain happily married throughout the rest of his life. In 1985 Mark took a job in Mankato as a Safety Administrator for MnDOT. The family lived in Mankato for 14 years and, after a transfer to the Brainerd/St. Cloud offices, lived in Little Falls for 14 years. He retired in 2013 after 28 years of state service and moved back to the iron range. He was very proud of his work with MnDOT, where he helped improve working conditions for employees and likely prevented many workplace injuries.

Mark was very active in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. He taught them how to play sports and instilled in them a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for music. Aside from time spent with family, his favorite memories were going on fishing trips and playing softball with friends. Anyone who got the opportunity to know Mark will miss his contagious enthusiasm, effortless charisma, and warm laughter and smile.

Mark is survived by his wife, Tere; son, Mark and daughter-in-law, Valerie of Plymouth, Minn.; daughter, Jane and son-in-law Dereck Monnier of Budapest, Hungary; granddaughters, Leah, Violet, and Edith; brother, Bill (Babe) Moehlenbrock (Sherrie); nephew, Jay (Jaime) Moehlenbrock and his children Kiarra and Sean; niece, Sara Moehlenbrock; sister-in-law, Rene Moehlenbrock; and cousins, Kay Moehlenbrock and John Backman.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mary; brothers, Jimmy and John; nephews, Cory and Casey; and cousin, Barbara Hart.

A celebration of life will be held next summer.