Mark Waldera

Mark Waldera, 72, of North Branch Minnesota, passed away on his birthday, February 16, 2022, after living with Parkinson’s Disease for 18 years.

Mark was born to Clemence and Arleen (Traybiatofska) Waldera, in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating from Sibley High School Mark went on to study and pursue his many interests at several institutes of higher learning. Mark always said, “I know a little bit about a lot of things.”

Mark is predeceased by his parents, Clemence and Arleen Waldera. He is survived by his wife Mary, Juen Waldera, children, siblings, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

On November 28, 1980, during an ice storm, Mark wed Mary Juen, at Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mark lived a life of adventure including sky diving, hiking the Grand Canyon, fishing, enduro motorcycle racing, wilderness camping and skiing above the tree line in Colorado. Mark was a teacher. He loved to share these experiences with others and educate them about the skills necessary to successfully and safely engage in these activities.

Mark, Mary, and their children, Monica and Nick, shared a myriad of adventuresome family activities. They shared countless vacations to the North Shore, National Parks, Disney World, rock climbing, camping, biking, karate, and Boy Scouts. The family loved dining out together, celebrating birthdays at one of their favorite restaurants Fuddruckers, or the Heartthrob Café.

Mark enjoyed a long and successful career in transportation as a driver. He held multiple roles within the industry. He was a proud member of Teamsters Local 120. Mark was awarded the prestigious Million Mile Safe Driver Award. After more than 30 years in transportation he retired in 2007.

Always the learner, Mark had many interests including: art, fixing cars, photography, reading, Polish genealogy and researching new concepts. He was involved in Boy Scouts as an assistant leader for Troop 9408. He was selected into the Order of the Arrow, which is the Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers.

Mark adjusted to the impact of Parkinson’s with dignity, setting an honorable, and courageous example to others. Mary was always by his side to be a loving wife, and caregiver. Mark and Mary were role models of a loving couple supporting each other through all stages of life.

A Celebration of Mark's Life will be held 4-7 PM on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Chisago County Community Center, 38790 6th Ave, North Branch, MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following organizations who made such a positive impact on Mark’s life: St. Croix Hospice and Family Pathways-Aging Services.