Mark Steven Vukelich

Age 59
Died on June 29, 2017

After battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Mark is survived by his wife Linda Vukelich, their daughters Emily and Anna, sister Marjorie Vukelich, M.D., brother-in-law, Paul Ritch, M.D. and nieces and nephews, Paul and John Ritch, David, Nick, and Joe Brazel, Oliver and Kathryn Brazel, Ross and Cole Brazel. His mother, Sophie (Pepelnjak) Vukelich, father, Milan Vukelich, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents preceded Mark in death.

Mark was born and raised in Virginia, MN. He attended grade school at Marquette, high school at Roosevelt High School and college at Mesabi Community College and St. Cloud State University. Mark received his Bachelor of Arts degree and double majored in communications and political science.

While in college, Mark had the opportunity to meet Congressman Albert H. Quie. He worked on Al Quie’s gubernatorial campaign and served four years in the Governor’s office as a committee member and as a staff member. Governor Quie was Mark’s mentor, and in turn, he enjoyed mentoring others. Mark went on to work on the campaigns of Vin Weber, Ronald Reagan and Mike Huckabee.

Mark also worked as a radio announcer at radio stations WHLB in Virginia, KCLD in St. Cloud and WWTC in the Twin Cities. The majority of his career focused on health care marketing, communications and public relations. He utilized his communication skills at the Minnesota Medical Association, Fairview Health Services, HealthPartners, Eli Lilly and North Memorial Medical Center. He also served six years as the marketing director at Century College in White Bear Lake. Most recently, Mark worked for the Union Gospel Mission-Twin Cities, a nonprofit Christian organization that cares for the poor, hungry and homeless.

Mark valued his Christian heritage and the morals and ethics taught to him by his mother and father. Family was very important to him.

Memorial Mass Friday, July 7 at 11:30 AM at ST. MARY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. Interment St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery. Visitation on Thursday, July 6 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue and one hour before the Mass at church. Memorials preferred to Union Gospel Mission- Twin Cities.