Mark Zipse, 65, of rural Blooming Prairie, Minn., died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at his home.

Mark Dennis Zipse was born Aug. 4, 1947, in New Hampton, Iowa, to James and Theresa (Langreck) Zipse. He attended Austin Public schools, graduating from Austin High School in 1965. From June 1965 to August 1968, he served on the USS Enterprise refueling jet planes. Following military service in the Navy, he worked at Golden Dairy in Austin. On Sept. 6, 1969, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Ulland at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church. They lived by Corning for 29 years on the farm, and then moved to the Blooming Prairie area, living on a farm northwest of Blooming Prairie for the last five years. He was a custodian for 38 years at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and Blooming Prairie schools. He loved to fish, hunt, collect coins, polish rocks and garden. Mark was a good provider for his family, and loved them very much. His grandchildren were the light of his life.

Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Carolyn of Blooming Prairie; two daughters, Kathryn Zipse (John Haberman) and Kristina (Richard) Ferguson, both of Blooming Prairie; one son, Robert Zipse of Blooming Prairie; his mother, Theresa Zipse, also of Blooming Prairie; six grandchildren Tyler, Jessica, Justin, Anna, Tiffany, Lacey and granddog Sadie; sister Karen (Dale) Ringhofer of Owatonna; brother Brian (Lisa) Zipse of Montgomery; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews. He was preceded in death by his father James Zipse on Feb. 29, 1992.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Austin, with the Rev. Lindsay Stolen officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. American Legion Post 52 and VFW Post 878 are in charge of military rites. Worlein Blooming Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.