Mark Robert Hill
August 15, 1959 – April 25, 2024
Mark Robert Hill, 64, of Sturgeon Bay, WI, died peacefully in the comfort of his home and care of his loving wife of 41 years, Ann, on Thursday, April 25, 2024 (the Catholic Feast of St. Mark) after a long, five-year battle with cancer.
He was born August 15, 1959 in Fort Hood, TX, the son of Robert Lee Hill and Ruth Marlene (Hattula) Hill. Mark’s family moved to L’Anse, MI when he was just a year old. He grew up in Newberry, MI and graduated from Newberry High School with the class of 1977.
Mark attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI for a year before going to work as an orderly at Brown County Mental Health in Green Bay, WI.
While living in Green Bay, he met Antoinette “Ann” Marie Hill. They were united in marriage on November 13, 1982 at her home church, St. Philip the Apostle.
They moved to Florida, and Mark worked for Eckerd Youth Development Center in Okeechobee, FL. He continued his collegiate studies at Barry University in Miami Shores, FL and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services.
Mark and Ann had hopes of returning to the Midwest, which allowed their journey to begin in Sturgeon Bay, WI 32 years ago, when he accepted a job with Door County Social Services, a “job” that would leave a tremendous impact on so many lives. Mark often talked about the importance of opportunity and giving those who struggled a chance for change, and there was no better resource than the Door County Challenge Program. It was there that Mark and his coworkers were able to provide students and their families that chance for that success. Mark’s experience with the Challenge Program was one that both he and his family were beyond proud of.
Mark was a man of seasonal interests. In the Fall, he enjoyed watching football, especially the Green Bay Packers and the Michigan Wolverines. In the winter, he helped coach the boys Sturgeon Bay High School basketball teams. Mark had a way with the players. He was often their biggest “cheerleader” and yet, he helped them stay mentally strong in some of the most intense game situations. During the Spring, Fall, and Summer months, days were often filled, hunting and spending time at his family cabin “Frosty Acres” in Newberry and hours on the golf course. He was a true competitor on the course and was always looking to improve his game.
He appreciated good music and liked listening to classic rock. While Mark had a tremendous passion for sports and music, nothing was more important to him than family, especially his “Lucky 7”. He was a very proud “Papa” of 7 grandchildren with whom he shared a very special bond with, unique to each one of them. Papa enjoyed his time babysitting, treating them to the movies, traveling, as well as sharing his love of music and sports with them. Although his time with them was short, the experiences and pictures will be treasured by each for a lifetime.
Mark will be deeply missed by his wife, Ann; children, Ashley (Matt) Klug of Allouez, WI, Tony (Michelle) Hill of Oshkosh, WI, and Emily (significant other, Andrew Cook) Giesseman of Allouez, WI; his Lucky 7, Harvey, Fitz, and Joey Klug, Evelyn, Clara, and Samuel Hill, and Parker Giesseman; mother, Ruth Hill of Newberry, MI, brother, Michael (Tammie) Hill of Maple City, MI; siblings-in-law, Mary Kay (Richard) Birkholz of Green Bay, WI, Patricia “Patti” Osmond of Pulaski, WI, Joanne (Charles) Strachan of Marshfield, WI, Cynthia (Randall) Jakubowski of Green Bay, WI, Vernon (Karen) Van Beek of De Pere, WI, Lori (Mark) Pennings of Green Bay, WI, James (Shelby) Van Beek of Denmark, WI, and Barbara Van Beek of Green Bay, WI; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Hill; parents-in-law, Vernon and Kathleen (Denissen) Van Beek; siblings-in-law, Daniel Osmond, Kathleen (Gary) Collins, Linda Van Beek, Thomas Van Beek, and Theresa Van Beek; and other relatives.
Mark’s life will be honored with a memorial service held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, with Fr. Anthony Birdsall officiating. He will be laid to rest in the columbarium of the Blessed Mother Garden at Allouez Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 12:00 noon until the time of service.
Memorials may be given in Mark’s memory (payable to his wife, Ann Hill) to help support youth with chances and opportunities to help them better their lives, just as Mark strived to do for them in life. Memorials may also be given for DOOR CANcer, Inc. (P.O. Box 423, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).
“Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Door County community for your ongoing love, thoughts, and prayers during this difficult time, especially Mark’s team at Door Cancer, Door County Cancer Center (Green Bay Oncology), and Unity Hospice.”
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Mark may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
