Mark A Brenneke

Mark A. Brenneke, 55, of New Haven, IN, passed away at home on Sunday, May 13, 2018.

Mark was born in Fort Wayne on July 4, 1962 a son of the late Norbert & Linda (Marbach) Brenneke. 

Mark was a farmer most of his life and also worked at Central States Enterprises.

He will be sadly missed by his sons, Andrew (Melissa), Logan (Jessica) & Alex (Kristen); siblings, Irene Benschneider, Phyllis (Rich) Helmke, Lloyd (Sharon) & Bruce (Jamie); sister-in-law, Ruth and 2 grandchildren. 

Mark was also preceded in death by his brother, Roger.

Service is Friday, 11 am, with viewing one hour prior at Christ Lutheran Church, 4412 Park St, Woodburn, IN.

Viewing is also Thursday, 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Christ Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Christ Lutheran Church, 4412 Park St, Woodburn, IN 46797.

Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com

Mark Brenneke was a loving father and grandfather. No one could surpass his strong work ethic and the love he held for his family. He savored the special times with his sons and looked forward to their Sunday lunches together. Mark lived his life enjoying the simple pleasures in life and no one ever had a bad word to say about him. His friendships were honest and loyal and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for someone in need. His wonderful collection of memories over the years will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.

The 1960’s were characterized by great social changes. Many Americans believed they were standing at the dawn of a golden age. At the beginning of this promising decade in our nation’s history, folk music was evolving thanks to young artists like Bob Dylan and the birth of The Beach Boys grew in popularity. Meanwhile, in England, The Beatles were exploding the music industry. Born on July 4, 1962, Norbert and Linda (Marbach) Brenneke welcomed home their firecracker baby, as they liked to call him, in Woodburn, Indiana! The youngest of six children, his birth gave them much hope and happiness during the era known for its optimism.

His father was a farmer and his mother tended to the growing family’s needs as a homemaker. Born to a set of hardworking parents, it was no surprise that Mark lived his life with their sense of self-satisfaction from a job well done. There wasn’t anything that Mark set out to do that he didn’t see through even if it meant sacrificing something along the way. He was no stranger to hard work and spent a majority of his teen years supporting the family farm in Allen County. Graduating from Woodlan High School in Woodburn, Indiana Mark set off to live a farmer’s way of life. Known not to waste any valuable daylight, he’d often cook himself soup on the tractor engine so he could eat and keep right on going! The work of a farmer is at times daunting, and Mark never let the long hours get the best of him. When he finally settled down in the evening hours, he loved to kick back and tune into his favorite PBS television shows; Ask This Old House and The Incredible Dr. Pol. In addition to his farming, he also worked with Central States Enterprises, a service-based business for a few years.

A quiet and private man, Mark spent time on many solo vacations to explore a long list of many areas that intrigued him. He toured the Grand Canyon as well as Montana and Idaho finding solace in the mountains and the stillness of the great outdoors. He also visited the famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri as well as the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington. Closer to home, he explored the lower parts of Indiana including the popular French Lick Resort. Not until recently had Mark taken up the hobby of woodworking. He loved to spend countless hours making pens that he had spun out of wood. Mark was comfortable with himself in these quiet times reflecting on his years of hard work as well as the things that mattered to him most; his loving family. May his many special friends, his sons, and grandchildren find comfort in knowing that he deeply cared for each and every one of them. Mark left behind a wonderful example of living life to the fullest without expecting anything in return. His warm personality and caring ways will be deeply missed.

Mark A. Brenneke, 55, of New Haven, Indiana, passed away at home on Sunday, May 13, 2018. He will be sadly missed by his sons, Andrew (Melissa), Logan (Jessica) & Alex (Kristen); siblings, Irene Benschneider, Phyllis (Rich) Helmke, Lloyd (Sharon) & Bruce (Jamie); sister-in-law, Ruth, and his two grandchildren. Mark was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roger in April 2018. Visitation is planned for Thursday, May 17th from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Christ Lutheran Church with services to be held on Friday, May 18th at 11 am, with viewing one hour prior at Christ Lutheran Church. Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com