DEERFIELD - Mark Richard Hurd, age 74, of Deerfield, unexpectedly passed away in his home on Wednesday Oct 18, 2023. He was born on Dec. 17, 1948, in Madison, WI, the son of Richard and Mavis (Cunningham) Hurd.

Mark graduated from Middleton High School in 1967. Possessing a wide-range of skills and interests, he worked a variety of jobs over the years. He particularly enjoyed the time he served as manager of Pleasant View Golf Course in Middleton. He ultimately retired from Sussek Machine Corporation in Waterloo in 2015 after several decades working as a machinist.

Mark married Barbara (Studee) Kaeser on April 12, 1986. Together they welcomed two sons. He was also a loving step-father to Barbara’s two daughters. He always stressed the importance of education and one of his proudest accomplishments was ensuring that all four children received a college education. Although the children eventually came to reside in three different states, Mark cherished the rare opportunities that all his children got together-be it for holidays, celebrations, or family vacations.

Mark had a diverse set of hobbies. He was a voracious reader with a fondness for history and geography. His encyclopedic knowledge of those subjects secured his place as first pick for your trivia team. Mark will be remembered as a skilled purveyor of puns which everyone secretly appreciated despite the groans they elicited in the moment. Travel was always important to Mark. In retirement, he and Barbara fell in love with Viking cruises and looked forward to the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that came with sailing around Europe each year. A life-long sports fan, Mark enjoyed playing and watching golf. He was also an avid follower of Formula 1 racing, NASCAR, and Premier League soccer. On nice days, you could always find Mark outdoors. He spent countless hours maintaining the yard and tending to his flower and vegetable gardens. After a hard day of yard work, he and Barbara relished rewarding themselves with a glass of wine over a fire outside.

Mark is survived by his wife, Barbara; step-daughters, Jess (Dan Youngquist) Kaeser and Suzie (Micah) Daugherty; sons, Andy (Kayla Braun) Hurd and Alex (Megan) Hurd; grandchildren, Liam Daugherty, Cecelia Hurd, and Cassandra Hurd; mother, Mavis Fieber; brothers, Kevin Hurd and Dan (Bernadette) Hurd; and sister, Nancy (Bob) Schumacher. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard; and brother, Steve Hurd.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Mark Hurd

December 17, 1948 - October 18, 2023

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