Mark Fjelstad obituary

Mark Henry Fjelstad, 56, of Zumbro Falls, Minn. passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024, at Methodist Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. surrounded by family and friends after a courageous short battle with Philadelphia B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Mark was born January 25, 1968, in Rochester, Minn. to Herbert and Janice (Walters) Fjelstad. He graduated in 1986 from Plainview High School, and joined his dad on the home farm, where he started his many years of farming. He married Diane Houghton on September 22, 1990, at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Plainview, Minn. and they made their home on his home farm in rural Zumbro Falls.
Mark’s commitment to his family, friends, township, farming, and cows was inspiring and extensive. He was a proud member and past president of the Minnesota Brown Swiss Association and served on his township board until his passing. He has received many prestigious awards; FFA American Farmers Degree, MN Outstanding Young Farmer, Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Distinguished Breeder. He loved working alongside his wife, Diane, taking care of the farm and the land he loved. They showed his beloved and award-winning Brown Swiss cows in the local fairs, state fair and even on the colored shavings of the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. He enjoyed helping the younger generation show cattle and was happy to lease out some of his cattle to kids so they could show at their local fairs and a few of them also at the World Dairy Expo.
Besides farming, Mark enjoyed spending time with his wife, family, and friends; fishing, snowmobiling, or going out for a bite to eat. He enjoyed Allis-Chalmers tractors more than watching NASCAR or the Minnesota Vikings, which he said would never win a Super Bowl in his lifetime. He loved spending time with his nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and being Santa at Christmas to the kids.
Mark is survived by his wife, Diane, of Zumbro Falls; mother, Janice of Zumbro Falls; aunt, Winnie (Ron) Gathje, and uncle, Gilbert (Anita) Fjelstad. Cousins, Bob (Cindy) Gathje, Michelle Gathje, Jeff Gathje, Al (Rochelle) Gathje, Susan (Steve) Hartliep, Anne (Jim) Shatz, Hans Fjelstad. Mother-in-law, Janice Marshik; brothers-in-law, David (Jody) Houghton, Douglas (Becky) Houghton; sisters-in-law Donna (Ron) Sylvester, and Debra Houghton. Nieces and nephews Samantha, Rebecca, Jessica, Dane, Dalton, Brandon, Alexandra, Devon, Samantha, Mikayla, Mitchell, Katlyn, and Kally, together with 14 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert, fathers-in-laws, John Houghton, and David Marshik, and great nephew Oliver Houghton Engleking.
Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Millville Valley Legion Post #579 in Millville, Minn. and one hour prior to services on Friday. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2024, at Millville Valley Legion Post #579. Interment will follow funeral services at Dale Pleasant Prairie Cemetery, Zumbro Falls.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Minnesota Junior Brown Swiss Association or the Plainview FFA Chapter.
Arrangements entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel, the guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.