Mark Lewis Dickau

Mark Lewis Dickau was born on February 3, 1964 to Don and Bernadette Dickau in Valley, NE. He attended Valley Elementary and Valley High School and graduated in the class of 1982. It was there that he met his future wife, Karol King. They were high school sweethearts and were married on July 4, 1987 in a memorable ceremony at St. Patrick’s Church in Elkhorn, NE. This was to be only the beginning of a beautiful life together. The following year they welcomed a baby daughter, Jennifer Lynn and life was good in their small bungalow home in South Omaha. To add to their joy in 1990, a baby brother, Patrick Michael, was born. They were a very close knit family and found their happiness in simply being together. Mark was accepted as an apprentice in the Steamfitters Local 464 on September 24, 1986. He spent 33 years in the union and was working for Google at the time of passing. Mark was passionate about positively investing in, teaching and growing young apprentices, so he became a part-time union HVAC for many years, then full- time instructor for a year and half. He was well known for his diligent work ethic, as he settled for nothing less than perfection. He made many good friends among his co-workers and appreciated the bond that they shared. He would often laugh, as he told of some of his on the job experiences, but he took great pride in a project well completed. He loved the outdoors and was a very avid hunter and fisherman. He especially loved deer, elk and turkey hunting and often took Patrick along and taught him the lessons of being a responsible sportsman. Some of his special memories were the trips the two of them took to Colorado, and hunting with Mark’s uncle Gary. Fishing, too, brought much enjoyment to Mark in his free time. With his family, he fished many lakes in Minnesota and South Dakota. They all enjoyed these very special memories, which included cabin living, boat rides, a drink by the campfire, and s’mores. His latest endeavor was building a cabin on a lake in Northern South Dakota. He knew the skills of doing the hands on work and he was the “foreman” on this job. Karol and he worked together, as they carefully and enthusiastically began building their very own cabin on the lake. Though it is not yet quite finished, they were able to enjoy it as it was. Mark took enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life, and the lake provided a perfect place for this. Watching the early morning sunrises, sitting on his deck with a cup of coffee in his hand and his little Yorkie, Bella, on his knee, while watching geese overhead, was to Mark, the start of a perfect day. Watching Nebraska football on Saturday afternoons was part of his fall time routine. He was a Husker fan, and did plenty of armchair coaching of his own. Win or lose, Mark was a loyal backer. Most of all Mark was a dedicated family man and his family always knew it, and so did everyone else. He could always be counted on. His family grew when Jennifer married Jim Roza and Patrick married Jess Kealy. It would not be long before Aubrey, Colton and Brooklynn would be calling him Papa. They brought him and Karol so much happiness. There will be yet one more addition due in December of this year, that Mark will have to see from his heavenly home. Unfortunately, we are not able to choose our sunsets and though he leaves his earthly home much too soon he leaves behind a very large legacy. He has taught many the value of real lasting love, the importance of dedication, the meaning and example of all that a father and grandfather should be and most of all, the contentment of his faith in God, who guides us all. Karol and Mark’s life together was a real life love story. They celebrated their 34th anniversary this past July, and they walked Mark’s final mile together. This is not the end of their story, for together they have built a foundation for their children and grandchildren to follow. Our hope is that you might recall some of your own special times with Mark and that you might remember him with a prayer now and then. Thank you. We appreciate your coming.   Visitation Saturday at 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM at Gretna Chapel. Memorial Mass to follow at 1:30 PM at Holy Family Shrine 23132 Pflug Rd. Gretna, NE. Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Gretna Chapel 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090 www.RoederMortuary.com