Obituary of Mark Arthur Ihle

Mark Arthur Ihle, born August 16, 1951, Jamestown, ND, passed from complications due to cancer at the age of 73 on September 7, 2024, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN.

Educational history; Certificate of Achievement for Chemical Dependency Family Treatment (St. Mary’s College), Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology of Substance Abuse (Metropolitan State University), Certification Chemical Dependency Practitioner (Institute for Chemical Dependency Professionals of MN, Inc).

Mark was honorably discharged from the United States Army. After military service Mark worked in concrete construction as a form setter, later a transportation dispatcher while going to school in substance abuse counseling. He was an intern at Hazelden. Upon receiving a degree in counseling, he worked briefly as a counselor, then after receiving advanced degrees did regulatory work as a point person setting up counseling centers across the nation for a major insurance company. During this time, he was also involved with national health care policy.

Over the last 13 years, he dedicated himself to and enjoyed spending quite a bit of time with his son homeschooling and enabling & making possible his youngest son’s participation in various sports activities. He loved spending time in the company of his other two sons, as well as trips to Nebraska to visit his daughter and his grandsons, of whom he was very proud of.

Mark read and journaled daily, loved to run and enjoyed outdoor activities such as camping. Having played hockey and baseball Mark dedicated time to keeping track of a few favorite teams. He was a lifelong sports enthusiast. Mark was very competitive. Over the years he coached various sports. Mark was proud of his athletes. He also loved the beach, California, Texas, Florida, and taking trips especially to warmer climates when he had the time.

Mark was extremely disciplined with his spiritual growth. For over 40 years he didn’t miss his morning devotions or his weekly AA group meetings. He saw his role in life as trying to help people in recovery. He was an avid runner, which was a big part of his personal well-being. He was a very introspective man.

Surviving family members: Lisa Cole (daughter), Duan Cole (son in-law), Matthew Guthmiller (grandson), William Guthmiller (grandson), Ryan Ihle (son), Matthew Carlson Ihle (son), Max Erler-Ihle (son), Aileen Erler (Max’s mother), Kathy Ihle (sister), Tom Ihle (brother), John Ihle (brother), cousins David Thompson (Jean) and Karen Fairchild as well as a host of loving friends and relatives.

Predeceased by; John W. Ihle (father), Connie May Ihle (mother), Art and Gurine Ihle (grandparents), Maybelle and Charlie Robinson (grandparents) and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

There will be a memorial service on September 23rd at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 South Robert Street West Saint Paul, MN 55118. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. There will be a reception to follow the service.