Mark L. Kreps

Mark Kreps, Vice President of Agricultural Sales for RDO Equipment, devoted father and husband, died tragically Tuesday. He was 54.

Mark, born on December 2, 1965, in Fargo, ND, was a lifelong resident of the Fargo-Moorhead area. A graduate of Moorhead High School's class of 1984, Mark briefly attended Moorhead State University before the incredible energy and passion that defined his life led him to pursue opportunities that were as colorful as his personality. In sales, whatever Mark touched he could sell. His twin brother Keith always had an idea, and Mark was always willing to make it happen. Throughout all of these endeavors was a love of people, boundless energy and a commitment to creative problem-solving. Mark's incredible passion for sales and his drive to succeed eventually led him to RDO Equipment Co.. Throughout his 25 years at RDO, Mark was a sales leader and mentor for countless young RDO staff. For Mark, customers were relationships to be valued, respected and nurtured. His customers-like his friends and family-could feel his passion; it, like his ever-present smile, was infectious.

Mark, Keith and Steve Connelly were the best of friends, colleagues and at times co-conspirators in whatever scheme they happened to cook up that day. Together they travelled the world working endless hours that were always punctuated by Mark's dry, sarcastic wit and well timed one-liners. For Mark, sarcasm was a means of communicating love and respect. A notoriously picky eater, he was known to pack a suitcase of Slim Jims, Golden Oreos, protein bars, and anything else that would make the trip more like the comfort of home. It is said that his greatest fears were germs and being seated by the window on one of the all too frequent flights.

As passionate as Mark was for work, his greatest passion was reserved for his friends and family. Mark, a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, was deeply devoted to his faith and his family. He worshipped his wife Traci, his daughter Sydni and his son Ryan. They were the center of his extraordinary and far too short life. Mark's indescribable personality filled every room with random energy, legendary generosity, deep love and the bright shining light that was his life. Always at the center of that bright light were Traci, Sydni and Ryan. They enjoyed traveling together, the tranquility of lake life and competitive family game nights.

For Sydni, Mark was her rock and there for her always-often before she even knew she needed him; for Ryan, he was the unattainable hero, the example of what anyone can do with hard work and perseverance; for Traci, she never doubted she was the center of his universe, the single most important person in his world. He was her best friend, her one and only love and her occasional singing partner. Mark loved to sing with anyone who would join him in one of his many favorite songs.

In addition to his wife of 30 years Traci, his daughter Sydni and son Ryan, Mark is survived by his mother, Shyrl Karlstrom; brothers, Steve (Barb) Kreps and Keith (Erin) Kreps; sisters, Loree Kreps-Flick (Randall), Bonnie (Mark) Eukel and Katherine Kreps along with his beloved family of in-laws and many deeply treasured aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mark was preceded in death by his father Ronald Kreps, his step-father Duane Karlstrom and his grandparents.

Please join the families in celebrating the lives of Mark and Steve Connelly at a joint remembrance to be held at Bluestem Center for the Arts (801 50th Ave SW, Moorhead, MN) on Tuesday, August 25, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a prayer service to follow. Mark's life will be celebrated in a private service limited to immediate family the following day at 10:30 AM. Both services will be streamed live. A link will be provided prior to the service.

In keeping with Mark's spirit of generosity and his desire to help those in need, please consider a gift to the Great Plains Food Bank in lieu of flowers.

Respectfully, the family requests that masks be worn at all times during both services.

Mark's Private Memorial Service can be accessed by following the link below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-5NpnecQUw-UopLFjQz398sf4zl-GA7T/view?usp=sharing

Mark and Steve's visitation can be accessed by following the link below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-36r-EBRWU_kyUOphe3v0-0h_acrnAo7/view?usp=sharing