Mark A. Konitzer
Mark A. Konitzer died at Henderson, Nevada on March 5, 2015. He was 63 years old. At his request, no service will be held. Mark was born on September 6, 1951 to Barbara M. (Grein) and Aloysious G. Konitzer. He grew up on Fox Lake in Lake County, Illinois, graduated from Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois, and cherished memories of those days that he shared with his family and the friends of his youth. He fondly recalled exploits as a social member of the Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department and never missed attending Lake Villa Days at Lehmann Park when he was in town. After leaving Lake Villa, Mark lived in the San Diego area and in Madison, Wisconsin where he met his wife, Rebecca Snetselaar. They were married at South Lake Tahoe and lived for 19 years in northern California before moving to Nevada in 2003.Mark could be relied upon to remember everything — names, places, dates, details — and was a wonderful storyteller. He enjoyed gardening and traveling, and was most at home in close proximity to the wonders and beauty of the natural world. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, weaned at Wrigley Field. Baseball was his first passion but he loved all sports and in his lifetime was an avid golfer and tennis player. He loved watching sporting events and was a living encyclopedia of sports knowledge. He taught himself the art of sports handicapping and spent many hours devoted to this pursuit during the last ten years of his life.
Mark is survived by his wife Rebecca Snetselaar of Henderson, Nevada; mother Barbara Konitzer of Lake Geneva, Illinois; brother Thomas Konitzer (wife Judy) of Evans, Georgia; brother Eugene Konitzer of Madison, Wisconsin; sister Barbe Hagstrom (husband William) of Salem, Wisconsin; and 13 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and brothers Gerard and James.
Mark’s wish was to have his ashes scattered in the ocean at Pebble Beach in California. Friends and family members are encouraged to celebrate his life in some way that is special to them, in the spirit of family and friendship, and in the good company of their loved ones. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Mark A. Konitzer to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://www.pancan.org/); or to any good and fitting cause.