Mark Kjellerson

Rapid City, S.D.

Mark Sheldon Kjellerson went to be with the Lord on March 21, 2026 at Monument Hospice House in Rapid City, SD.

Mark was born on July 25, 1957 in Minot, ND to Fred and Gladys “Maggie” (Mattson) Kjellerson. Mark had polio when he was a baby, but it didn’t hold him back…he thrived!

He married his “Jewel”, Julie K. Sauter, on October 12, 1991 at Harvey, ND. This union was blessed with two sons, Jacob and Joshua, who he was so very proud of! He was beyond grateful for the support of his family.

Mark held several jobs as a teenager and young man, and then got a job as a civilian at Minot Air Force Base. This began a 35-year-long civil service career with the Air Force in Minot ND, Cheyenne WY, Rapid City SD, and Mildenhall, England. During this time, he was recognized with many awards, and at Mildenhall, his office was named the best education office in the European Command. In 1998, Mark started the Black Hills Regional Job Fair.

Mark’s secondary education culminated in his doctorate in Adult and Higher Education from the University of South Dakota in 2009. Mark was an adjunct instructor at National American University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and Western Dakota Technical College.

Mark loved traveling and seeing new places, woodworking, riding his 3-wheel Can-Am Spyder, teaching college classes, and especially going out camping in the Black Hills with his family.

Mark was avidly involved in Boy Scouts of America, becoming an Eagle Scout himself, and leading both his sons as well to become Eagle Scouts. He was a member of the Jaycees in Williston and Minot, ND and received the Outstanding Jaycee of the Year Award for North Dakota and the ND Jaycee Roughrider award, plus he represented the ND Jaycees at the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. Mark was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, School, and Preschool in Rapid City, SD.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Julie; sons Jacob and Joshua; his brothers Jim (Karen), Craig (Vicki), and Matthew (Lucy); and many, many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Gladys (Mattson) Kjellerson, and by his grandparents.

Mark left us with two important gifts. First, he left us a good example of how to live life abundantly in spite of challenges. His optimism, courage, enthusiasm, values, and sense of humor will always be with us. And second, he left us with the knowledge that we can see him again. “We do not grieve like those who have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13 We can just imagine him running into the arms of Jesus for a big hug!

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles.

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday March 28, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church, Rapid City. Visitation, also at the church, will be Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Interment will be at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.

Kirk Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 25, 2026.