Mark Alan Van Norman — Rochester

Mark Alan Van Norman, 55, of Rochester, died at home Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, after an ongoing battle with stomach cancer.

Mark was born in 1959 in Olivia, to Doris and George Van Norman. The family moved to Red Wing in 1964. Mark attended Red Wing Central High School, and was active in Red Wing Environmental Learning Center activities. Mark went to college at Bemidji State University before heading west to work in a student employee program at Crested Butte Mountain Ski Resort. There he met his future wife, Molly McNeil of Rochester. They married in 1986, settling in Rochester. Mark worked in real estate before becoming a timber buyer. He worked for Madtson Logging out of Red Wing, Johnson Logging out of Canon Falls, and Central Walnut out of Grand Meadow over the course of his career. Mark also put his love of skiing to work at Tyrol Ski and Sports, where he worked as a ski technician; and as a coach with the Rochester Alpine Slalom Ski Team.

His other passions were windsurfing, road biking and hunting. When cancer prevented him from more vigorous activities, he became a member of the Byron Sportsman Club and pursued his love of shooting sports.

Mark is survived by his two sons, Owen and Noah; his wife, Molly; his parents, Doris and George Van Norman; his sister, Carol (Bob) Ryan of Red Wing; his father-in law, William McNeil of Rochester; his sister-in law, Mary Pat McNeil (Greg Smith) of Mound; nieces, Maggie and Kate Smith and Kellie Ryan; nephews, Andy (Nadeesha) Ryan, and Nick Ryan.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents and mother-in-law, Patricia McNeil.

Mark donated his body to Mayo's Anatomical Pathology program.

There will be a memorial service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 559 20th St. S.W., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at 11 a.m.

There will also be a time to remember Mark and share condolences from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Good Shepherd on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, and from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the day of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Cancer Research Institute cancerresearch.org/giving-to-cri/honor-memorial-giving .