Mark Richard Grove, age 75 of Blair, Nebraska, formerly of Atchison, Kansas, passed away December 4, 2019 in Blair, NE.

A visitation and rosary will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 7 PM at St. Benedict’s Church, 1001 N. 2nd St., Atchison, KS. The funeral Mass, with Fr. Jeremy Heppler OSB officiating, will be Saturday, December 21, at St. Benedict’s Church at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Atchison immediately following the funeral Mass. 

Mark was born on November 24, 1944 in Atchison, Kansas, the son of Roy and Beatrice Grove. Mark was an ambassador for friendship and love by personally connecting with everyone he met. He had a zest for life that was unsurpassed. Although he lived most of his life in Atchison, he loved to travel and made several trips to Nebraska, Colorado and Oregon to visit family. He also vacationed and spent time with family in Hawaii, Alaska, St. Martin, and New York. Just mention a trip or a party to Mark and he was ready to go! Mark’s main hobby was collecting model car. He was a big fan of the Chiefs, the Royals and KU basketball. Mark was an honorary member of the Sacred Heart Council #723 of the Knights of Columbus. He attended Atchison High School and Atchison Vo-Tech. For years, Mark participated in Special Olympics and also attended the Easter Seals Camp in Empire, Colorado. He worked at the Achievement Services sheltered workshop for many years. The staff at Achievement Services lovingly took care of Mark - they were not only his friends, but his family as well. Mark was blessed to have so many dear friends in Atchison that some people jokingly referred to Mark as the unofficial mayor of Atchison. Words cannot express how much Mark will be missed by his family and friends.

Mark is survived by his siblings: Mary K (Jack) Moran of Corvallis, OR, Jim (Shari) Grove of Ft. Calhoun, NE and Joe (Rose Mary) Grove of Dillon, CO. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Shirley Grove of Atchison, KS and brother-in-law Herb Barkow of Centennial, CO. Mark has numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews that adore him and will miss him greatly.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Beatrice Grove, his sister Nancy Barkow, his twin brother Mike Grove and nephew Tim Moran.

The family greatly appreciates your thoughts, prayers and charitable donations in memory of Mark to one of the following: Achievement Services of Atchison, St. Benedict’s Church, or a charity of your choice.