GREEN BAY, WI [DOM] – Deacon Mark Sauskojus reposed in the Lord on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
Deacon Mark A. Sauskojus, 70, Deacon of St. Matthew Orthodox Church, Green Bay, WI, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord, May 25, 2025, at home with his family around him. He was born October 17, 1954, in Glasgow, MT, a son of Karl and Elizabeth nee Gebennus Sauskojus.
In 1976 he graduated from Montana State University Bozeman with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering. He was on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship from 1976-1977 on two campuses: Montana State University Bozeman and Western Montana State University, Dillon. In 1977 he began his career with International Harvester at Hinsdale as a Test Engineer in Hinsdale, IL and retired after 41 years with CNH Industrial. While working at International Harvester Deacon Mark married Matushka Rebecca (Penny) in St. Charles, IL.
On February 1, 2006, Deacon Mark and Matushka Rebecca werereceived into the Orthodox Church at St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Burr Ridge, IL, by the late Archpriest Stephen Karrafa.
After completing his studies at the Diocese of the Midwest Catechist and Diaconal Vocation Program, Deacon Mark was ordained on June 28, 2015, by Archbishop Paul (Gassios). He learned to chant under the excellent mentoring of John Sutko, Choir Director at St. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, IL.
He served alongside the late Fr. Stephen Karaffa and Archpriest Herman Kinkaid, until 2023. After moving to Green Bay in 2023 he served at St. Matthew Orthodox Church alongside Priest John Thetford until his health no longer permitted him to do so. Deacon Mark felt the most fulfilled while serving in the various church services for the Church.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Matushka Rebecca (Penny); their children, Roderick, Jeannette (Todd) Schubkegel, and Karl (Charity); and six grandchildren: Saskia Burke, Mark James, Ella and Abigail Sauskojus, and Gavin and Ethan Schubkegel. He is also survived by his parents, Karl and Elizabeth Sauskojus; his siblings, Dave (Kathy), Nancy (Terry) Schott, and Joanne (Jim) Tubman; as well as an aunt, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Memorial and Funeral Services will be held at St. Matthew Orthodox Church, Green Bay on Friday, May 30th and Saturday, May 31st. Ryan Funeral Home in De Pere is assisting the family. Condolences may be left at their website www.ryanfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Deacon Mark may be made to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Matthew Orthodox Church in Green Bay, or St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge, IL.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the many who cared for Mark, including those at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL; Dr. A. Trusau of Prevea; Dr. S. Ringwala and the Congestive Heart Failure Team of Bellin Health; and the staff at St. Croix Hospice, especially Traci, Mark’s hospice nurse, who provided comfort and support through the final months of his life as he faced the long-term effects of radiation treatments for Hodgkin’s in 1989.
Services will be held at St. Matthew Church, Green Bay, WI. Visitation will being at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30 and will continue through the night. On Saturday, May 31, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 8:30 a.m. with the funeral at 11:00 a.m.
May Deacon Mark’s Memory be eternal!
