Mark Keckeisen

Mark Parker Keckeisen, of Watertown, Wis., died at home surrounded by his family Feb. 14, 2015, after a long and inspiring battle with cancer. He was 64 years old.
Born in Milwaukee, he was the oldest of seven children of Walter "Buddy" and Winnifred "Winnie" Keckeisen. Mark attended West Allis Central High School, The University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and Milwaukee before embarking on a 32-year-long career in facilities and maintenance. In 2012, he retired as facilities director for Waukesha County, after 15 years with Brown County. Professionally, Mark was the most proud of being the project manager for the Resch Center and the 1991 restoration of the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. Mark's famous but true words were "I was always on time and under budget!"
Mark's passion for nature brought new meaning to the term "avid outdoorsman." His favorite wilderness adventures usually involved being dropped off by aquatic planes into the (preferably unmapped) river and lake systems of Minnesota's Boundary Waters to the vast northern tundra on Hudson Bay. He would go for weeks at a time with nothing but his canoe and camping gear. He returned several years to the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario and especially enjoyed its show of northern lights, copious fishing, and gorgeous, unmarred scenery. He enjoyed telling stories from these adventures, especially the ones when his trip took unexpected or frightful turns.
Mark was a "MacGyver-like" craftsman who could build anything and was especially skilled at making near-indestructible and beautifully crafted cedar-strip canoes. His fascination with building, which began as child making elaborate forts, can be seen in his artfully renovated home on the Rock River in Watertown.
In addition to building and camping, Mark was also a passionate about cycling and road racing. He competed in the '70s through the beginning years of Superweek, nights at Washington Bowl velodrome, criteriums, and road races through small-town America. In the late '80s he returned as the "Wiley Veteran" leading his team to 50-plus wins throughout the Midwest, and achieved a bronze medal at Masters Nationals. Mark was also involved in many cycling organizations as a director sportif, a coach, a cheerleader, a fan, and an inspiration to anyone who rode with him.
Later in life, Mark dedicated himself to the sport of golf and was a longtime member of the Windwood of Watertown Golf Club. He enjoyed league play, to which he took home several championships, including match play "B" flight in 2014! In 1989, he discovered the Blakely Golf Association (the BGA). He traveled almost every year to its annual Myrtle Beach outing, competing against 30-some other members from across the country. He proudly won the BGA's Green Jacket in 2006; Iron Man in 1993, 2007, and 2014; and Best Dressed in 1993, 2010, and 2014.
He was involved politically in Green Bay as a trustee for the Village of Ashwaubenon and in Watertown as a community member for the Watertown Public Works Commission.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Stephanie; sons, Damian (Colleen) of Milwaukee and Nathaniel (Rebecca) of West Allis; grandchildren Tyler, Ayden and Sophia; siblings Kathy (Rick) Keckeisen of Madison, Sally (Steve) Hagen of Eagle River, Jill (Gary) Granrath of West Allis, Dean (Karen) Keckeisen of Three Lakes, Jon Keckeisen of Milwaukee, Jimmy (Lynne) Keckeisen of Glendale. He was preceded in death by his parents, Buddy and Winnie.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service March 20 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in West Allis at 4 p.m. immediately followed by a celebration of his life reception at the South Shore Park Pavilion.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to:

www.JustGive.org/MPK

Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home of Watertown is caring for the family.

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