Mark Joseph Freisleben

Mark Joseph Freisleben of Phoenix, AZ, died January 27, 2020. Early last year, Mark was diagnosed with bladder cancer and fought the disease until passing peacefully at his home. 

Originally from Clara City, Minnesota, Mark was born October 1, 1949, to Fred and Velma Freisleben. He graduated from the local high school in 1967 and then worked road construction until entering the Army in 1969. He served for two years, which included a one-year tour of duty in VietNam. Upon his return, he continued working road construction until 1989. He spent the next 20 years working for FedEx, retiring in 2010. 

In 1974, Mark married the love of his life, Susan. Mark and Susan were high school sweethearts sharing their first kiss in 1964 and from then on were forever linked. As the Baal Shem Tov said, "From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being." 

Mark and Sue lived around the country before finally settling in Phoenix. While he gave up on the cold and never missed winter, in some things he never left his home state and remained a die-hard Twins and Vikings fan. But his love of golf and grilling were better served in Phoenix, although his love for Miller Lite is better served in a colder clime. 

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Fred, his father- and mother-in-law, Bud and Audrey Stutelberg and his brother-in-law, Steven. 

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan; his mother, Velma; sisters, Jean Berghuis, Kathy (Russ) Rhode, Mary Brown, and Barb (Mike) Johnson, brother Bobby (Ileana) Freisleben, in-laws David (Karen) Stutelberg, Jan (Larry) Hawes, Paul (Jennifer) Stutelberg, Tom (Karen) Stutelberg; 14 nieces and nephews; as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.

Arrangements entrusted to Tempe Mortuary.