Mark and Melissa Hortman

Mark & Melissa Hortman

June 14, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina - Mark David Hortman

Mark was born of J Carroll Hortman and Ruth Russell on November 30, 1966, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, graduated from Millbrook High school, attended North Carolina State University, and earned his bachelor's degree in physics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1986. Mark's first job was on an IBM team rewriting the Air Traffic Control System in Washington, DC, where he met and married Melissa. He earned his MBA from the University of Minnesota in 2011. For the most recent years, Mark managed a team of software engineers for the conglomerate, NVent, head quartered in Minneapolis. He was a partner and a board member of the 103 year-old, family-owned North Carolina business, Gray & Creech Inc. aka Gray & Creech Office Solutions.

Melissa Anne Haluptzok Hortman

Melissa was born of Harold and Linda Haluptzok on May 27, 1970, in Fridley, Minnesota. Melissa graduated from Blaine High School, received her undergraduate degree from Boston University in 1991, her law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1995 and her Masters of Public Administration from Harvard in 2018. She practiced law for several years before being elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she rose to Minority Leader, then she became Speaker of the House of Representatives for an unprecedented period. She was known by both sides of the aisle, to be a most respected, significant and insightful leader.

Mark & Melissa Hortman

On August 13,1993, Mark and Melissa were married, beginning what was to become 31 years of a wonderful and happy union. While Melissa pursued her passion in political life and Mark followed his career in Information Technology, they genuinely enjoyed their close family relationships, which both relied on for their inner strength. They visited both families often where the mood was always loving, festive and soul-nourishing. In 1997, both families greeted the arrival of Colin Hortman, then in 1999, Sophia Hortman arrived to make the family complete. As they became teenagers, both were outstanding swim-team members, competing and winning often. They earned a wall-full of ribbons to prove it. Colin is a Bio Medical engineer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and Sophie is a high school English Literature teacher in Rochester, MN. Colin and Sophie remained very close to their parents, talked with them every day and saw them often. Melissa loved cross-country skiing, baking and sharing her famous blueberry pies and cakes and proudly showing off her gardening skills with a beautiful, colorful garden each year. She pursued her hobby passions just as diligently as her legislative work.

Mark was an avid mountain biker, usually along with Colin. He was an accomplished billiards player, participating regularly in tournaments. He was an electronics gadget inventor and intensely studied the science of liquor distilling. He was an avid scuba diver and enjoyed diving with his family and friends. They successfully trained Service Dogs. Their latest was the beloved Gilbert, who lost his life in their tragic assassinations in their home on June 14, 2025. Private services were held on Thursday, June 19,2025 at Washburn-McReavy Chapel in Crystal, MN. Public services were held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. A private burial followed. Mark and Melissa are survived by their children Colin and Sophia. Melissa leaves her parents, Harry and Linda Haluptzok of Blaine, Minnesota and Naples, FL., her brother Patrick (Chenoa) of Seattle and nieces and nephews. Mark leaves his parents J Carroll Hortman of Raleigh and Naples, FL, and Ruth Russell of Greensboro, sister Lisa (Alec) Bean, nephew Ethan (Mila), brother Lee (Kelly) Hortman and niece Hannah and Aunt Lynn (Dwight) Alford of Raleigh and Naples, FL along with several cousins and aunts and uncles.