Marcus Gerard Cleberg, 80, of Tulare, ended his journey on Friday, April 5th, 2024 at Redfield Community Memorial Hospital just as he would have wanted it….surrounded by family and friends. 

   Visitation with family present will be on Thursday, April 11th, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  A prayer service and a time of sharing will be at 7:00 PM at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.

   Mark’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 12th, at St. Bernard Catholic Church.  Reverend John Short will officiate.  Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Catholic cemetery.  Lunch will be served at the Spink County 4-H building following the burial.  Mark's Prayer Service and Mass will both be live-streamed on the funeral home's website below his obituary. Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com) has been entrusted with arrangements.

   Mark was born October 2nd, 1943 on the family farm near Redfield to Francis and Isabelle (Esser) Cleberg.  Mark was the 6th son and the 10th child of 15.   He took pride in being part of a large family and all that it entailed.  From a young age, a strong work ethic developed and defined who he was and how he lived.  Mark, Pat, Joe, and Bob formed “The four boys” and were the core of Francis’s work detail.  He attended Sharp Country School through 8th grade and then made the transition from a one-room school to the overwhelming Redfield High School.  A famous freshman prank earned him the nickname “Grass” since he was as green as grass when he came into the setting with many faces that were not his siblings.  Not only did the country school kid get educated, but he also took part in creating stories that still live on with lifelong friends.

   When the boys in the house would tease their sisters and start getting on each other's nerves, Francis would pull out the 12-ounce boxing gloves and the dining room became a sparring ring.  This pastime turned into a family passion with many fights both inside and outside of the ring especially if you “borrowed” another sibling’s clothes.  Mark had a powerful left hook but truly enjoyed being a coach for his brothers and friends.     

   Following graduation in 1961, Mark took a memorable trip with friends to the West Coast.  The group decided to get matching tattoos during their adventure.  When their funds diminished, they worked various jobs to earn enough money to return home.

   Next, Mark moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma after hitching a ride with his sister, Germaine, to live with his sister, Irita.  This afforded him his own room and bed for the first time.  He landed a job at a service station and continued repairing vehicles and learning life lessons.

   The draft caught up with him in 1965.  He was stationed in Alaska upon completion of basic training.   Following the death of his father, he received an honorable discharge so he could return home in order to care for his mother and operate the farm to support her and the 3 youngest siblings.     

   Mark always said if it wasn’t for bad luck, he wouldn’t have any but he was very lucky in love.  He was united in marriage on February 12th, 1969 to Paulette Putzier and they lived 41 years around Redfield farming, welding and working to support his family of six. Mark was usually driving an older pickup full of tools so given the opportunity, he could repair anything that needed it.  He heard, “Markie, make it work” throughout his life and he did indeed, make things work.  He and Paulette enjoyed many years of marriage which included time spent at their cabin at Cottonwood Lake.  Mark felt blessed with his faith, marriage, kids, grandkids, and great-grandsons.

  Mark enjoyed a cold beer (or warm) and good conversations.  His storytelling ability and great memory for dates and details made him a source of entertainment enjoyed by many.  His motto was, “never let the truth get in the way of a good story”!  He entertained many by playing the piano by ear, a hobby that he taught himself. 

   He was made for the maintenance position at RHS for his final place of employment.  He took pride in repairing items in the school and keeping the football field looking good.  He truly enjoyed teaching the students in mechanics and welding.  Mark looked forward to “Saturday school” when he was able to have extra labor to complete bigger projects. Since Mark was always young at heart, he developed many great relationships with the students and staff who in turn supported him during his wife’s cancer journey and death in 2010.

   Mark was fortunate enough to have a “gal pal” come into his life and when she finally said yes, he married Paula Schultze on June 19th, 2019.  They enjoyed living south of Tulare on the Schultze farm.  They found years of comfort in each other’s company following significant losses.  Paula said he made her laugh which was one of the reasons she married him.  Since Mark was such a people person, he enjoyed developing relationships with the members of the Schultze and Garman families.  He continued to repair everything possible and keep busy with day-to-day chores.

   He was a big supporter of all RHS activities, especially wrestling.  He took pride in his attendance at most of the matches and was thankful to be able to watch them on the computer.  Many in the wrestling family have fond and everlasting memories of Mark.   He spent one of his last days watching the Black Hills Nationals from his recliner.  It would be very appropriate to wear Redfield wrestling apparel in Mark’s memory.

   As his health began to decline, he made two of his goals: living long enough to turn 80 on October 2, 2023, and being there to see his grandson, Grady, win a state wrestling title.  After reaching those 2 milestones, he accepted God’s plan as he did throughout his life, and continued making preparations for his departure. As many of you know, he was in pictures for his infamous funeral video for years.  He was described as the coolest old guy that people knew.

   Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Paula Schultze of Tulare, his children: Brenda Cleberg and her children Courtney (Tom) Morris and his great-grandsons, Russell and William of Harrisburg, Tyler (Alecia) Scott of Colorado Springs, CO, Carla Smith and her daughter, Mallory of Ashton.  Malinda (Casey) Fey and their children Mason, Grady, and Miley of Ashton.  Toby (Sarah) Cleberg and their children Mabel and Marcus of Grenora, ND. Paula’s children Michelle (Jason) Murray and sons Loren (Carmen) and great-grandson, Aiden and Carlin (Jenny).  Sara (Dan) McNeil and their children Caleb (Brooklyn), Carsten (Tehya), Cullen, and Cambree.  Matt Schultze and Evan (Amy) Schultze and their children Jayden and Marcus.  Mother-in-law, Amy Garman.  Mark’s siblings Irita Hubbard-Hershman, Bonnie (Delmar) Petzold, Ardis (Jerry) Hardie, Joe (Kathy) Cleberg, Mary Lou (Philip) Schwartz, Tony (Brenda) Cleberg, Madonna (Roger) Docken, sisters-in-law Arlene Cleberg and Barb Cleberg, and Paulette’s sister, Sharon (Mike) Larsen, Paula’s siblings and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Paulette, paternal grandparents Carl and Emma, maternal grandparents Anna and Christian Esser, in-laws Karl and Martha Putzier, Brother and sister-in-law Duane and Ronda Putzier, siblings Leon, Clyde (Mertiss), Infant Christian, Ramon, Germain (Richard) Koch, Pat, and Bob (Linda). Brothers-in-law Fred Hubbard and Bob Hershman.