Mark A. Gessell, 61-year-old resident of Pinellas Park, FL, formerly of Swanville, MN, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-5 PM on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at The Hub Supper Club in Burtrum, MN. A private burial will take place at a later date. Mark will be taking his final bike ride from Swanville to The Hub starting on Main Street by the park. He will be honorably escorted by Gary and Putsy Pogatchnik and friends. Kickstands up at 12:45 PM sharp. Caring for Mark and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN.
Mark was born on April 5, 1962, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN to Frank and Helen (Matheis) Gessell. He grew up in Swanville, MN and attended Swanville High School. Mark married Laurie Johnson and they had two children; Brent and Shawna. Later, he married Kathryn Hubner and they had two children; Megan and Jayme. Mark enjoyed traveling on his motorcycle and his travels took him to Florida. He was always ready to bike with friends. Mark also enjoyed doing charity rides to collect used disabilities equipment for Vets. He repaired motorcycles for people that had little money to pay. He never missed putting on dinners for birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations of all sorts. For the past four years, people down on their luck always had a place to stop by or spend the night. He never collected much but always had food and shelter to share. His place was a man cave for anyone to stop by and they did at all hours of the day and night. Mark saw the world differently and joyfully.
Mark is survived by his parents, Frank and Helen Gessell of Swanville, MN; children, Brent Gessell of Swanville, MN, Shawna Johannes (Steve) of Burtrum, MN, Megan Stromley of Carver, MN, and Jayme Gullickson of Detroit Lakes, MN; 10 grandchildren; sisters, Gina Dwyer (Kenny Wachmann) of Sartell, MN, Dana (Paul) Hanowski of Swanville, MN, Shari (Karl) Pung of Burtrum, MN, and Kristi Anderson of Little Falls, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from all over.
Mark was preceded in death by grandparents and son-in-law, Gabe Gullickson.
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