Mark J. Rieland

1954 - 2025

Mark Joseph Rieland was born in 1954 to Wilfred and Loretta Rieland of Melrose. Upon graduation, he pursued higher education in music and business administration. Mark married his hometown sweetheart, Lou Meyer, in 1977. They earned their college degrees and were employed in St. Cloud until they relocated to Medford, Wisconsin in 1981. It was there that they welcomed their two sons, John and Eric, into their home. As a family, they enjoyed camping, fishing and golfing together.
Mark felt privileged to use his business and leadership training to also serve on school committees, a Christian camping ministry board and several church boards. At times, he was provided with opportunities to use his music talent to lead worship or sing a song of praise, sometimes alongside his sons.
As a believer in Christ, Mark followed the Lord's call to leave his business career in 2016 and become a full-time missionary in his role as the Director of Oak Forest, an adult retreat and conference center in northwestern Wisconsin. This was an affiliate ministry of Forest Springs where Mark had been blessed in serving as a board member for 19 years. In his role as director, Mark enjoyed the varied facets of his work, the servant-hearted staff and the array of wonderful guests and guest groups whom he loved to serve. As Mark's health challenges became greater, the need for retirement became more evident. Upon his retirement, they relocated to be nearer to their sons and their families in Durand, Wisconsin.
Throughout the years of health challenges and surgeries, Mark has always felt the love and prayers of their family and friends, in Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as friends who now live around the United States and beyond. God gave Mark a perfect peace about the end of life that was encroaching upon him. He had a faith that relied on God's promises for an eternal existence with Him in heaven when he placed his trust in Jesus as his savior. As a loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, he will be missed by many.
Mark is survived by his dearly loved wife, Lou (Meyer); sons John and his wife, Melinda (Allen), and Eric and his wife, Cassandra (Black); grandchildren Gibson, Aubriana, Breckam, Parker, Adeline and Beauden; brother Gary (Katie) Rieland; mother-in-law Janice Meyer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Shirley (Klassen) Rieland, Mary (Sullivan) Rieland, Russ and Linda (Meyer) Braegelmann, Mark and Mary Jo (Meyer) Humbert, Bruce and Peg (Meyer) Becker, John Brian and Marie (Meyer) Giglio, Jay and Jill (Meyer) Meyer, Mark and Paula (Meyer) Postudensek and Lori (Meyer) Carbajal; and many nieces and nephews.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred and Loretta (Welle) Rieland; brothers John (Jack) and Michael; and father-in-law Leo A. Meyer.
The family is deeply appreciative for the loving care and attention Mark received from the Mayo Clinic team (Miranda, Ashley, and Kristy) throughout his eight-month hospice journey. The extraordinary support that was given brought comfort and encouragement during the most difficult days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at Calvary Baptist Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts should be directed to Oak Forest Center: https://oakforest.us/donate/funds.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.
Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.