Mark A. Buettner, 66, of South Bend, NE, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Bryan West Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born December 1, 1956, in Albion, NE, to Walter and Viola (Morris) Buettner.  He was the ninth of twelve children.  Mark adored his loving mother and shared his love of going to the Casino with his father.  Mark graduated in Spalding, NE in 1975.  He was united in marriage to “the love of his life”, Rebecca “Becky” Kershaw on December 10, 1974, in Albion, NE.

In his earlier years, Mark worked for a Meat Packing Plant in Madison, NE.  He farmed for Don Ida and worked at the Greeley County Maintenance Department in Spalding, NE. He worked for the NRCS as a Soil Conservation Technician for many years, until he retired in 2012.  After his retirement, Mark did various jobs to keep himself busy, from construction work to putting up barbed wire fences.  Oftentimes, you would find Becky and the kids working right along with him.

In his free time, Mark loved spending time with his family.  He was a loving husband, dad, grandpa (papa), great-grandpa. and brother.  Mark could be found wrenching on a truck or lawn mower, or any of the many items in his collection of treasures.  He had a love of the outdoors, and very much enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He also loved to grill, and cook for his family and friends. Every once in a while he served frog legs, turtle, and crawdads, that he caught himself. Mountain oysters were also a specialty once in a while. Through the years, he raised hogs, calves, horses, poultry, and always had a few coon dogs, which he put to good use.  He had quite the green thumb, always adding unique vegetables to his large garden.

He is survived by his children, Chad (fiance, Jenna Pendley) Buettner, Kim (Paul) Beckenhauer, and Erin (Will) Watts; grandchildren, Halie (Lathon) Virus, Conner, Coby, Aliyah and Maia Buettner, Jacob (Shelby) Beckenhauer and Aidan Beckenhauer; Great-grandchildren, Sienna Rose Beckenhauer and Miles Allen Virus; siblings, Ron (Diane) Buettner, Richard (Mary) Buettner, Arnie ( Shari) Buettner, Bob (Janet) Buettner, Marie Jenkins, Joan (Bill) Arkfeld, and Patty (Rick) Kolm; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Buettner; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Becky Buettner; parents, Walter and Viola Buettner; grandson, Nolan Beckenhauer; siblings, Merlin, Harold, Jerry and John Paul Buettner; sisters-in-law, Sandy Kershaw, and Janice Buettner; brother-in-law, Ed Jenkins; nephews, Christopher Lantz and Jimmy Buettner.