Mark Nussle

Mark Nussle of Palos Park, Illinois and Stoughton, Wisconsin died on Sunday, April 28, 2024. He
was 86.

While it is difficult to summarize this amazing life, it is certain that Mark Nussle was one of a
kind. Tall, lanky, gregarious, thoughtful, goofy, curious and loving that was our Dad, Fafa, and
Maaark. He lived his life with relish, extracting the joy out of the smallest moments. He was
born in 1937 to Robert and Thyra Nussle in the Chicago area and grew up with his brother Paul
to know a life of service and music imparted by his mother and friendship, and orneriness from
his father.

Mark embraced his Danish American heritage studying first at Ronshoved Hojskole in Denmark
and then at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. He completed his education at Drake
University in Iowa. While at Grand View, where he also taught folk dancing, he met his wife of
61 years, Lorna Kay Nussle (Fisher). Together they built homes in Palos Park, Illinois and
Stoughton, Wisconsin and a life of community and joy with their family and friends from Grand
View College, All Saints Lutheran Church, Danebod Family Camp, the Museum of Danish
America, the Danish American Athletic Club, the Palos Village Players, Grieg Chorus, Model A
Club and so many more.

If there is a phrase to describe Mark, it’s “all in.” Whatever he was doing he was fully immersed
and invited everyone to experience his joy. After serving his country in the Army National
Guard, he joined the family business founded by his father, Viking Metal Cabinet Company.
While he started out in sales he eventually took over the company, becoming its President and
continuing to adapt the business model to the times.

At All Saints Lutheran Church, he served on the church council and led a fundraising campaign
for a new pipe organ. Without any formal choral music training, he started the church choir and
served as its director for over 40 years, never taking a salary.
Starting in 1974, he took his family for a week every year to Danebod Family Camp in Tyler, MN
and went on to direct camp three times, serve as president of the board and led folk dancing
for over 40 years.

A lifelong learner, Mark’s favorite subject was his Danish heritage. He worked tirelessly to
expand his knowledge of folk dancing, studying and inventing new dances every year in
preparation for family camp. If he was making Danish sandwiches, he was researching the best,
most historically accurate, traditional sandwich combinations. He made himself a student of
Danish theologian NFS Grundtvig and Danish-American landscape architect, Jens Jensen,
incorporating their principles where he could into his own life (and garden). He joined the
board of the Museum of Danish America and was active in creating their important
commemorative brick path.

All of his joy and passion was put to best use with his family and friends supporting their many
interests. Whether it was a political campaign, a musical production, a middle school choir
concert, a Special Olympics competition, a rock concert, a dance recital, or a regatta, he was “all
in” there too. And it wasn’t just for the easy stuff. There were plenty of challenges he sought to
ease with his thoughtful advice.

At the end of his earthly life, he was where he loved to be, enjoying the beauty of Lake Kegonsa
in Stoughton, Wisconsin. An avid fisherman, he never tired of life at the lake and the birds and
wildlife that call it home.

Mark lives on in all the communities he touched and where Mark and Lori were “all in.” He is
perhaps best remembered in his three children -- Jim Nussle (Karen), Karri Nussle and Ilene
Quartemont (Jim) -- and four grandchildren -- Sarah, Mark, Emily and Graysen -- who, with Lori,
will continue to embody his humor, love of music, dancing, friendship, ukulele and washboard
skills, creativity, zest for life, long limbs and unique fashion sense.

A Service to Celebrate Mark's life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at All Saints Lutheran Church, 13350 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park, IL at 11:30 a.m. A live stream of the service will be available. Please visit Mark's obituary at colonialchapel.com to view the live stream of the funeral service. To view Mark's Celebration of Life Service please click here and it will take you to All Saints Facebook page. A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow.

Donations in Mark’s name can be made to All Saints Lutheran Church, 13350 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park, Illinois 60462.

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400