Mark J Strasser

Crete, Illinois Mark J. Strasser, 72 died on February 22, 2025, at Franciscan Dyer Hospital, surrounded by his family. Mark, born on March 9, 1952, at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, was the fourth of five sons, to Francis P. and Bettejean (Grimes) (Strasser) Culbertson. He married his high school sweetheart, Carla Rufo on September 5th, 1971, at St. Rocco’s Catholic Church in Chicago Heights, they were married 52 years. Mark grew up in Crete, attending St. Liborius Church and School in Steger, Illinois and Crete Public Schools in Crete, Illinois. He graduated from Crete Monee High School in 1970 and went on to study at Lincoln College in central Illinois. Mark served honorably in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Mark was a true entrepreneur, having the courage and strength to be his own boss. He started his work life at Carden’s Drug Store, in its Liquor Department. He left Carden’s, to pursue an opportunity to go into liquor sales where he was quite successful. His first adventure into being his own boss, came when he purchased a liquor store. He later changed course and went into nut delivery business that serviced customers throughout the Chicago area. He was proud to be a member of the Teamsters Union. When this industry changed, Mark became his own boss again as a private contractor in the nut-delivery business. The industry was changing once again as he approached retirement and he was ready to move on to another chapter in his life. Mark liked his work life and he had many successes, but his true love was his family and friends. Mark and Carla were happily married for 52 years. He loved all things family; Carla, his children, Matt and Erica and his grandchildren. Mark recently celebrated the birth of his great granddaughter. He also loved being one of “the five boys” of Frank and Bettejean. They all gave him such joy and was what mattered most to Mark. Mark will be remembered for his many family gatherings, reunions, ice cream parties, birthday movies on the big screen out in his yard and the Halloween/pumpkin carving parties for his grandkids. Mark loved tending to his yard and garden, always adding some new yard art to spruce up the look; a painted red, white and blue tree stump, Colin’s colorful Superman’s structure and his fire pit. His yard was a paradise for the kids to play in and a wonderful gathering place for family and friends. He took great pride in making everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. Mark will also be remembered for the loving care he provided for his mother and his brothers and their family as they aged and became ill. He was always there representing the 5 brothers. Mark’s legacy is his love for Carla and his love for family. Mark also loved his Hawaiian shirts, always looking for the next new one to add to his vast collection and he had one for every occasion, whether for working out in the yard or going somewhere formal. They were special to him, and he loved the wildest of the wild shirts. These shirts were his signature. Mark is survived by his wife, Carla; their two children; Charles Matthew (Alisha Spitzer) Strasser and Erica Lynn (Kevin) Rosenfeldt; grandchildren, Colin, Minah, Evan, Britney, Blake, Asher, Toni and Sam; great granddaughter, Daisy Mae; brothers; John (Dorothy) Strasser and Jim (Adrienne) Strasser; sisters-in-law, Kathy Strasser and Ronda Strasser. Mark was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Greg and Paul. Mark was full of joy and fun and laughter and he will be missed by all.