Mark Edward Wade
Mark Edward Wade passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the age of 68 after a heartbreaking Stage 4 Brain Cancer diagnosis just five months earlier. He was surrounded by his family. Mark’s immense love of life, and for his family, fueled unwavering strength and resilience throughout his heroic battle. His optimism, sense of humor, selflessness, and uplifting spirit will be forever missed by all who knew him.
Mark was the loving and devoted husband to Debbie Wade (née Kunikoff) for 38 years. He is survived by his daughters Kayla Nahorski (née Wade) and Jenna Wade, son Taylor Wade, son-in-law Michael Nahorski, and granddaughter Samantha Nahorski. Spending precious time with these loved ones was Mark’s favorite thing to do–whether it was floating in the pool, family game nights and vacations, Packer Sundays, grilling steaks, or enjoying bourbon and a cigar. His compassion and wisdom leave a profound impact on his family that will keep his legacy alive for generations to come.
Mark was born on July 3, 1955, to parents Mary Lou Wade (née Criplean) and George Wade who preceded him in death. He grew up in a home built by his father in small-town Union Grove, Wisconsin, as the eldest of five children. He is survived by all four of his siblings, Steve (Desiree), Jeanne, Charles (Joy), and Russell, as well as many other relatives.
In his early years, Mark enjoyed flying in airplanes piloted by his father, spending time with extended family on the farm, being a high-school athlete, playing guitar in a rock band, listening to The Beatles, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers–a passion that remained prevalent throughout his life. He went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
As Mark entered adulthood, he began a life-long career in retail management. A uniquely strong work ethic led him to succeed and earn the deep respect of the many teams he managed. During his time at Gimbels in Milwaukee, he met and fell in love with Debbie. In 1986, Debbie and Mark got married and moved to Chesterfield, Missouri, where he continued his career in management at Famous Barr, and later at Lowe’s. He forged bonds with many of his co-workers that would transcend the workplace and remain strong into retirement. Even in retirement, Mark enjoyed staying busy by driving for Uber and Lyft.
Mark lived his life constantly leading by example. Some of the many values he embodied were to always do the right thing, care about others, stand up for yourself, be present in the moment, put your trust in the right people, work hard even when nobody is watching, speak from your heart even when it’s difficult, and above all else–love your family unconditionally.
A Celebration of Life for Mark will be held at Mark and Debbie’s home in Chesterfield, Missouri. It will be a casual open house on Saturday, July 13, 2024, beginning at 1:00 PM. Packers attire is encouraged. Additional details to follow on the family’s social media accounts.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation in Mark’s memory at:
www.Glioblastomafoundation.org in Mark’s memory.
Additionally, if you would like to support the family during this difficult time, donations can be made:
Mark’s GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/f0c67b81.
I have sat at the keyboard for some time remembering the good times we had and what to say. So, I will just speak from my heart as Mark would expect:
Mark was truly the best, even though he was a packers fan. We would go back and forth for days on the Saints vs Green Bay, Brees vs Rodger’s…. Jokes and laughs, I’m right and your right back and so on…. at the end of the day no matter the day we ended the day calling each other friends.
Mark was a champion of his people that worked for him and I learned so much from his leadership. Mark taught me that what your people talked about at the dinner table was important. That your actions as a leader goes well past the job, it represents who you are as a person. Let me tell you, he stood for his people. I once made the mistake in a group huddle recognizing his team as “one of the best”. That was a mistake I will never live down. He quickly corrected me by asking, “one of the best?…you mean the best. Not one of the best!” For years after that, him and his team would remind me of the mistake. That alone speaks to the love the team had for Mark. Something I have yet to see repeated anywhere.
Mark was not just a great support but a great friend. He knew when I need a laugh and when I just need to MF the world. Either way he was always there for me. His laughter and jokes is one of the things I will miss the most.
Before I end I want to talk about his legacy. Mark didn’t just leave a mark on the retail world m, he left us with an extremely amazing and talented family. A family that I have had the honor to meet and share some laughs with over the years. I have grown to know and respect each of them and I am so proud that they will continue to keep Mark’s spirit in all of us! Debbie, you are a SAINT! Keep Mark inline and raising great kids, Mark needed you!!! You are an amazing person and he was blessed to have you. Mark and I shared together that neither of us would be where we were today without our wives. Debbie, you are a beautiful for sole and know my heart aches with you. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you. As he would always say, you truly are a saint!!
To the kids… it has been my pleasure to get to know you over the years. Please know that your dad was so proud of each and every one of you. Seriously, he wouldn’t stop talking about you!! I will back up his words, you all are rockstars in my book! You each carry in the legacy of compassion, honor, loyalty and respect that your father has built over the years. Mark did a lot of great things but he was most proud of each of you and I am honored to know you know you all.
I could type for days on what Mark meant to me but I will leave at this…. Mark was a great leader for his teams, he was an inspiration to anyone that met him, he was a friend to so many, he as a great father and husband, and just an all around great guy. But to me he was more than all of that… there are no words or phrases to describe it. Mark, I love and respect you man, and I will miss you and think of you for the rest of my time on this planet!
To the Wade family, I thank you for the time I had with Mark. I thank you for making feel like part of your family. Pleas know that my thoughts and prayers are with each of you!
GO SAINTS!!! (That was just to piss Mark off!)
God bless and I love you all!!
This is simply a beautiful testament to a great man! May he rest in peace knowing that your family will carry his legacy forward! ❤️
My deepest sympathy.
I worked with Mark at FB. Nice man with a smile on his face.
Condolences to the Wade family: we are sorry for your loss.
From the children of Marvin Farer who worked with Mark & often drove our Dad to work.🥲