Mark James Kreikemeier was born on Feb. 5, 1960, to Frank and Alvina (Knust) Kreikemeier in West Point. He attended school in Dodge. On June 11, 1983, Mark married Tammy Birchem at St. Boniface Catholic Church at Monterey. The couple moved to their home at rural North Bend in 1989. Mark worked for Cargill and Broekemeier Construction until his health wouldn’t allow. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2010 and with mesothelioma in 2012.

Mark was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing and camping, and one of his favorite outdoor destinations was Oklahoma. Mark was an avid Husker fan and relished time with his family.

Survivors include: his wife, Tammy of North Bend; daughters, Carla (Josh) Eberhardt of Fremont and Chelsea (Adam) Ortmeier of Lincoln; sons, Cory (Tisa) of Bennington, Christopher (Alicia) of Neola, Iowa, Cody (Alysia) of West Point, Craig (fiancé Cassandra Koeppe) of North Bend, and Luis (Karley) Castro of Lincoln; grandchildren, Brayden, McKenna, Cohen, Landyn, Grayson, Jazelle, and Zayne; sisters, Mary Lou (Steve) Nielsen of Snyder, Carol (Jim) Praest of Dodge, and Dorothy (Bob) Whited of Gretna; brothers, Ronald (Linda) of West Point, Norbert (Nancy) of Dodge, John (Mary Pat) of Scribner, Raymond (Rosie) of North Bend, and Kenneth of Rogers; and mother-in-law, Joan Birchem of Columbus.