Rev. Mark E. Jaberg, Little Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, passed away suddenly on February 11, 2022. He was
72 years old and enjoying retirement on the lake.
Rev. Jaberg was born on August 31, 1949, in Nebraska City, Nebraska to Rev. Vernon and Virginia (nee
Dirkse) Jaberg. He moved with his parents to Klemme, IA, Kiel, WI, and Sheboygan, WI as his father
served parishes in those locations. He graduated from Kiel High School, Lakeland College, and then the
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He was ordained at St. John's United Church of Christ in
Sheboygan on June 6, 1976. He followed both his father and grandfather into ministry.
On November 25, 1971, he married Patricia (nee Larson) and they served churches in Millersburg, IN,
Indianapolis, IN, Lake Geneva, WI, Decatur, IL, Our Shepherd United Church of Christ in Howards Grove,
WI and St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Sheboygan, WI. For a number of years, he took youth groups
on mission trips to Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. He served on various boards in relation to domestic
violence, hospital chaplaincy, and alumni relations at Lakeland College.
For more than 25 years, Rev. Jaberg delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed G-scale trains,
attending Indy Car races at Road America, and the daily beverage cruise on summer afternoons. He
enjoyed attending high school sporting events, especially at North High School, where he supported
nephew, Jon Mauss. He cherished being with family, whether in person or virtually, and adored his
grandchildren, ages 3-22.
Mark is survived by his loving wife Patricia of 50 years, daughter Leisl (Dr. Borna) Bonakdarpour-Jaberg
(Glenview, IL), son Dr. Peter (Lisa) Jaberg (Independence, MO) and son Timothy (Linda) Jaberg
(Madison); and 9 grandchildren, Alexandra Jaberg (Springfield, MO), Mason Jaberg (Columbia, MO), and
Lilliana, Jackson and Hazel Jaberg (Independence), Nickrooz and Kamran Bonakdarpour-Jaberg
(Glenview), and Charlotte and Lucas Jaberg (Madison). He is further survived by sisters Mary Liebetrau
(Jerry) and Laurie Mauss, and brother Steven Jaberg (Susan), sisters-in-law Mary Pulak (Ron) and Susan
Johnston (Don) and brothers- in-law Jeff Larson (Linda) and Richard (Marilyn), and many nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Terry Mauss, and grandson Samyar
Bonakdarpour-Jaberg.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a private memorial service will be held for Rev. Mark on Saturday,
February 19, 2022, at 3:00 PM. If you would like to attend his service virtually, you can do so at his
obituary page at www.zimmerfuneralhome.com. The service will also be recorded and available at a
later date. Per Mark’s wishes, “A party to follow with a wide beverage selection” will be held at a later
time.
Memorial donations can be designated to Fresh Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan or Lakeland University.
If you would like to leave a message of sympathy for Mark’s family, please visit
www.zimmerfuneralhome.com.
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