Mark Allen ELERT

Passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2021 of complications with type II diabetes. Mark's passing was a shock to everyone in his family and community. Anyone who knew Mark would definitely say he was a one-of-a-kind character, full of laughter, kindness, music and joy. Never one for convention, there are stories far and wide from friends and family about their hilarious adventures with Mark Elert and how it shaped their lives. Whatever Mark pursued he did with fervor and exceptional focus. It was nothing for him to play the same guitar riff until it was perfect or send his bass lure under a shaded dock for 12 hours straight. Becoming a +2 golfer and hitting 100' puts were no big deal for him. Mark's many passions allowed him to reach people in all walks of life. He was a tennis player, fisherman, musician, golfer, youth group leader, card player, ping pong lover, and most recently pickle ball enthusiast. This was not his purpose or real goal on this earth, however. His real focus and reason for hope was the Good News of Jesus. Mark became a Christian at the age of 14 and went about spreading the love of God to everyone he knew, and he never wavered from his faith. Mark grew up in the beautiful woods of North Oaks Minnesota with his father Jerry, his mother Sally, and his sister Liz. He attended Breck School and graduated in 1983. Mark went to Los Angeles to pursue his musical dreams and eventually came back home to graduate from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul with a degree in Business Administration. Mark met the love of his life, Connie, in 1986 and they were married the following August, for 33 years. Mark and Connie had two amazing children, Faith Ann and Aleah Angel after praying for many years. Family was central to his life and everyone who knew Mark became part of his family. Mark's most beloved scripture passages were John 21 and Numbers 6:24-26. He attended Open Door church, Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church - now the Grove, and Clarity Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Elert, who passed away only the week before, on February 16, 2021. As devastating as these losses are, we are comforted by the knowledge that they are together in heaven and will always be with us. Mark is survived by his wife, Connie; his daughters, Faith and Aleah; his mother, Sally; his sister, Liz (Abraham) and their daughter, Lily; his stepmother, Judy; the Elert family; the Urquhart family; the Sollie family; the Walseth family; all his many friends; and his beloved dog, Romeo. We will miss Mark immensely! Funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 2nd at 2:00 PM at the Grove Church, 8585 Rice Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 PM. Interment Maple Knoll Cemetery. Gearty-Delmore 763-553-1411 www.gearty-delmore.com