Mark Mandenberg Celebration!
Come spend time doing things that Mark loved to do and celebrate his amazing life.
• Saturday, August 26th
• Sleepy Hollow State Park
• 7835 Price Road, Laingsburg
• 4:00 until . . .
Let’s have a picnic! Two shelters on the beach are reserved for the event.
There are tables,but bring blankets and chairs for more comfort and space.
There will be roast BBQ pork –please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Also, BYOB, alcohol is allowed.
• 4:00 Gathering
* 5:00 Dinner buffet
• 6:00 Remembrances
If you like, plan to share a prayer, story, reading, song, memory of our wonderful Mark.
Bring photographs that remind you of Mark to add to our memory board. It will be fun to see the wide range of experiences Mark had with friends and family.
Come earlier to play! Bring games, Frisbees, croquet, and more. Go hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, visit with friends . . . Overnight camping is available. ($20 per site)
To reserve your site visit: https://www.midnrreservations.com/SLEEPYHOLLOWSTATEPARK
“Come join me. I am taking our ‘pop tart tent’ for Friday and Saturday night!
I recommend the north side with a path to the beach. Don’t wait, reserve today!”
~Joni
All are welcome! Looking forward to seeing you there.
For questions contact Annamarie Bauer at 616-485-7559 or Joni Starr via Facebook message.
In case of inclement weather, we will relocate to an alternative indoor space. Watch Facebook (Joni’s and Mark’s) for notification of change on the previous Friday.
In Memory of Mark Douglas Mandenberg
(What follows is a “Caring Bridge” Journal entry by Juliana Brownrigg; she sums up this unfathomable man, including and beyond the theatre-side most of us on the GLUT list knew best.)
Mark Douglas Mandenberg (October 1, 1952 – June 27,2017) was a man of many talents who loved life and lived it to the fullest! He worked for Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources for 28 years, turning railways into trail ways that countless nature-lovers enjoy year-round. An avid outdoorsman, he preferred stories of the woods to stories on television. He kept the freezer stocked with fish, morel mushrooms and venison from his hunting, hiking and fishing trips.
Mark joyfully shared his artistry with others. He knew how to landscape a garden, operate all kinds of tools to build just about anything, and make one of a kind welcome home signs that always surprised others. He spent countless hours on al adder at Riverwalk Theatre, scene painting, designing in the scene shop, or building a set. When encouraged, he took center stage as a dancing, singing ghost, a rooster, and other unique characters that often brought down the house.
Mark deeply valued spending time with friends. He was in a golf league, worked parking at MSU sporting events, eagerly joined buddies for a beer, and he loved inviting people over dinner. An amazing cook, “Chef Mark” reveled in selecting new recipes from all kinds of cookbooks, to the delight of everyone present.
Mark had a perpetual desire to be a better person. He accepted all people with curiosity and care, not matter their baggage or background. He found ways to be peaceful and joyful during challenging times. He was ready to brighten a room with his quirky sense of humor. He was strong, courageous, and kind.
Mark became an Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 2 of the Boy Scouts of America atPeople’s Church. He graduated from East Lansing High School in 1970, before earning his degree in Landscape Architecture in 1974 at Michigan State University. Mark spent some time living in Arizona and Colorado, before returning to Michigan in 1982. He is dearly loved and survived by his wife, Joni Starr, his siblings, Craig, Lynne, Carl, and Christopher, and a wide and deep circle of friends.
He is greatly missed.
Donations in Mark’s memory can be made to:
Michigan Fitness Foundation for a trail memorial for Mark. Details are still unfolding
https://www.crowdrise.com/honoring-mark-mandenberg
Riverwalk Theatre to continue the tradition of high quality productions Mark spent so many hours making.
Send checks to PO Box 12249, Lansing, MI 48901 - put “in memory of Mark Mandenberg” in the memo line.
Your name will be listed as one of his donors in Riverwalk main stage programs for a year.