Mark Breen

A Private Funeral Mass for Norman "Mark" Breen will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Father Thomas Lux as Celebrant.  The Funeral Mass will be streamed at 10:00 a.m. via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622) A private interment will follow at the Oxford Cemetery, Oxford, Nebraska.

Due to health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; the Breen family desires private services. The possibility of a future memorial celebration for the public may occur once the pandemic has subsided.

Norman "Mark" Breen, 81 years of age, of Holdrege, formerly of Oxford, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska.  Mark was born on May 5, 1939, in Ipswich, South Dakota, the eldest of six children, born to Alfred "Bud" and Lu Verne "Lu" (Doonan) Breen.  He grew up on the Black Hills Ordinance Depot Military Base in Igloo, South Dakota, where he received his primary education.  He received his secondary education from Provo High School in Igloo, graduating in 1957.  It was on this military base that Mark met the love of his life, Barbara.

On August 22, 1959, Mark was united in marriage to Barbara Ruth Hoffman in Igloo, and to this union five children were born: Mike, Doug, Julia, Cathy, and Nick.

Mark pursued higher education from Chadron State College, earning his Bachelor's Degree.  With a growing family, he continued his education at Kearney State College and earned his Master's Degree in Education.  The family made their home in Oxford, where Mark was employed with Oxford Public Schools for 29 years and later, Southern Valley Public Schools for six years. He retired in 2001.  He was a highly respected educator within the community, teaching:  Industrial Arts; Trades & Industries; and Driver's Education.  He was also a full-time school bus driver for both schools. Mark was named Outstanding Secondary Educator, nationally in 1973; and in 1985, he received the Master Teacher Award from Oxford Public Schools.

Mark learned the construction trade to support his family as he was going to school.  He put this trade to good use during his life; working with his sons doing remodeling and additions for families, churches, and businesses in the area.  In his free time, he was an avid reader of history, and loved to travel to visit family and see historical sites.  He enjoyed gardening, leatherworking, and furniture and cabinet making. Mark enjoyed keeping up his home and yard, and assisting his children and grandchildren in many home projects.  He was good natured and a calm influence on everyone around him. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and nurturing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Oxford, where he served as a lector and usher, and after moving to Holdrege, attended the All Saints Catholic Church.

Mark was preceded in death by; his parents; two sisters:  Linda Ahern, and Karen Smith; and one brother in infancy, James Breen.

Mark leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Barb Breen of Holdrege; their children:  Mike Breen of Holdrege; Doug Breen and his wife, Beth Ann of Tucson, Arizona; Julia Becker and her husband, David of rural Beaver City, Nebraska; Cathy Swanson and her husband, Tony of Hastings, Nebraska; and Nick Breen and his wife, Abby of South Lyon, Michigan; 15 grandchildren:  Megan, Jerome and wife Jaci, Dexter and wife Laramey, Logan, and Chase Becker; Lainey, Isaiah, McGivney, Malachi, and Elijah Swanson; and Will, Iahn, Maggie, Sam, and Peter Breen; three step-grandchildren:  Katresa, Jonathan and his wife, Sarah, and Stephen Chadbourn; one sister: Judy Roth of Indianapolis, Indiana; one brother, Robert Breen and his wife, Candice of Roy, Utah; three great-grandchildren: Hatt, Tillie, and Everette Becker; five step-great-grandchildren: Claire, Matthew, Micah, Adelynn, and David; two brothers-in-law:  Denis Smith and his wife, Annie of Reno, Nevada; and Tim Ahern of Westminster, Colorado; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A private rosary will be recited by his family on Friday at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Mark's honor and kindly suggested to the All Saints Catholic Church of Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.