Mark Russell LaFond

MADISON-Mark Russell LaFond, born March 22, 1968, in Milwaukee, passed away surrounded by the love of family and friends at the age of 43 on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, after a courageous 10 plus year battle against a malignant brain tumor. He is survived by his devoted wife, Meg (nee Matysik); children, Melissa and Matthew; his parents, Deacon Larry and Catherine LaFond; sister, Mary Beth (Tom) Elberson; mother-in-law, Mary Ann Matysik; brothers-in-law, Michael, Mark (Peg) and Daniel (Angie) Matysik; sister-in-law, Peggy (Jens) Anderson; nieces and nephews, Katie and Chris Elberson, Katrina, Kyle, Sydney and Alex Matysik and Grace and Margaret Anderson; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and many, many friends. Mark graduated from Marquette University High School, Milwaukee, and from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, magma cum laude, with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. He began his career at Houlihan’s Restaurant in Chicago where he met the love of his life, Meg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, with Monsignor Michael Burke presiding. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, visitation will continue at COGLIANESE FUNERAL HOME, 7508 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, Ill., from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Ill. A Celebration of Mark’s Life will be held at St. Dominic Church in Brookfield, Wis. at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to brain tumor research through Golf Fore Wolfe & A Cure, c/o Jerry Wolfe, W134 N6625 Lilly Creek Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to brain tumor research through Golf Fore Wolfe & A Cure, c/o Jerry Wolfe, W134 N6625 Lilly Creek Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, visitation will continue at COGLIANESE FUNERAL HOME, 7508 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, Ill., from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Ill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, with Monsignor Michael Burke presiding.