Mark Gustav Arlos Nettum

Mark's Memorial Service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3504050

This late spring weekend is noted for two calendar events. First of all, June 18 is Father’s Day. And second, June 17 would be Mark’s 81st birthday if he were still here with us. Mark was a father and also my father-in-law, so it is especially important that we celebrate him today.

Mark Gustav Arlos Nettum passed away at the age of 80 on November 29, 2022, at Sanford Health in Fargo. However, before his passing, Mark meant a great many things to all sorts of people. One of Mark’s greatest earthly pleasures was music. Thus, it is fitting that I begin with a quote by his favorite singer, Elvis Presley.

Elvis once said, “Values are like fingerprints; not everyone’s are the same, but you leave them all over everything you do.” For his entire life, Mark was very passionate about his beliefs and values. A person never had to wonder where they stood with Mark because they always knew. That was one of the things I loved most about Mark, and also something I will forever remember about him.

Mark was born on June 17, 1942, in Fargo, ND; he later graduated from high school in Kindred, ND. I have already mentioned how much he adored music. Mark even had his own dance band, Dakota Junction, where he played the drums and sang Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson music—simultaneously! Mark also played in the Army National Guard band at one point. In his words, “I played for the governor!” In his younger years, Mark was a member of the UND Varsity Bards, which is an elite men’s choral group. Later in life, he played trombone for the Golden Notes players.

Outside of his musical endeavors, Mark transferred from the Army to the Air National Guard, where he worked as a cook for the pilots wherever they were stationed. In the early 1990s, Mark was activated for the Persian Gulf War, but remained stateside. Altogether, Mark served in the National Guard for 26 years.

Mark also obtained a master’s degree in education and enjoyed the years he spent teaching. He was even dubbed a favorite teacher by some of his students.

In his later years, Mark worked as a custodian and was known for doing an immaculate job. Everything that Mark did, he did with passion, vigor, and conviction.

Mark’s other great loves during his lifetime were cars, guns, dogs, and the great outdoors. He loved spending his free time fishing and pheasant hunting. Mark was so passionate about animals; one simply cannot speak of Mark and not mention the animals he loved during his lifetime. In lieu of that, the family requests that any memorials or donations be sent to 4 Luv of Dog Rescue in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Hjalmar Nettum; his mother, Hilma Nettum; and his brother, Galen Nettum. He is survived by many loved ones on Earth. Rest easy, Mark. Happy heavenly birthday and Happy Father’s Day from all of us.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Mark on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home.