Mark L. Reed, 68 of Sioux City, Iowa passed away Sunday, October 1, 2023, at his home. Services will be held 10:30am Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Michael Kumm officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the church.

Mark Lawrence Reed was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 4,1954 to Robert Frank Reed and Jean Christian Reed and was baptized on December 8, 1954, the first of four boys. He died peacefully on October 1st, 2023, at the age of 68, at home, surrounded by his family.

Mark grew up attending St. Paul Lutheran schools as an underclassman and transitioned to East High for his upperclassman education.  Mark was very eclectic and loved traveling so when he was offered the chance to become the lead guitarist for multiple local and traveling bands he jumped at the chance.  Traveling from coast to coast, Mark performed at many supper clubs.  His musical talents came full circle when he was working as a nighttime janitor at a Holiday Inn, and he ran into Elton John.

While traveling and fulfilling his musical dreams, his first son Sean Christopher was born.

Mark found the love of his life during one of his musical performances at the Saratoga in Dakota City, Nebraska.  When Mark was performing, he told the drummer’s wife he was going to “marry that girl someday.” His dreams came true when he married Thelma Blanche Craig on May 17, 1983.  To this union came three beloved children Bradley James, John Jennings and Larissa Jean.

After their union, Mark decided to make the leap from the music industry when his youngest child was two.  At that time, he moved to Gateway and continued his work there until Gateway closed.  After Gateway, the family decided to make a move to Scotland, South Dakota.  This is where Mark’s greatest passion took flight.  Mark became a youth counselor at the Juvenile Detention Center in Springfield, South Dakota.  After becoming a counselor, Mark’s love and passion for Christ continued to burn.  The local pastor and Mike Durfee State Prison Chaplain decided to retire and reached out to Mark to fill this role for his local community.  Mark had a strong desire to support those needing end of life comfort and touched many families in his lifetime of pastoring.

Mark’s passion for the Lutheran Doctrine helped many in his church community feel safe and comfortable with him which led him to create strong connections with many. The Lutheran Doctrine became a way of life for Mark after retiring.

One of Mark’s proudest accomplishments was to have his work published in the Big Bend Literary Magazine, not only once, but twice.  If you knew Mark, you loved Mark, and he adored having conversations with anyone he met.

Left to cherish Mark’s memories include his loving wife of 40 years, Thelma Reed of Sioux City, Iowa; sons Sean Reed of Des Moines, Iowa; Bradley (Holly) Schulz of Sioux City, Iowa; John Reed of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and daughter Larissa (Dustin) Carrell of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; brothers Robert (Pam) Reed and Boyd Reed (Joyce Vogler).  Mark was blessed with nine grandchildren: Emily, Stephanie, Aisiia, Abby, Clayton, Kaydance, Ashton, Reed and Izzy and many extended family members.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Robert and brother Matthew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family.