Mark John Breuer

Mark J. Breuer, 90, of Howard, SD passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Madison Regional Health Care.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2pm, Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at St. Agatha Catholic Church, Howard, with burial to follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Howard. Visitation will begin Tuesday from noon to 5pm at Willoughby Funeral Home, Howard and resume 5pm with the family present and a Scripture service to be said at 7pm, all at the Catholic Church., Howard.

Mark was born August 16, 1927 to Nick and Mary (Miller) Breuer and spent his early years on a farmstead in Howard Township, Miner County, South Dakota.  He attended St. Agatha School in Howard, graduating in 1945.

At age 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Naval V-5 Aviation Pilot Training Program.  After the war he received a Commercial Pilot and Instructors License on the G.I. Bill.  In addition to flight instruction and charter flights, Mark started his aerial crop spraying business in 1949 and, after 37 years, retired 1986.  His career also included working at Scott Engineering in Watertown, SD and developing and managing the Friendship Village Apartments in both Flandreau and Watertown, SD.  He and his wife, Donna Breuer, also owned and operated Breuer’s Sundries in Howard, SD in the 1960’s.

Mark married Donna M. Mack in 1955 and together they had six children.  His biggest passions were his family, aviation, baseball, Big Band music and dancing.  He was proud that his six children received their degrees and pursued their own passions and careers.  Mark loved attending and supporting the various activities of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church, Howard American Legion, the Experimental Aircraft Association, Howard School Board, Sunrise Terrace Board Chairman, the Good Samaritan Board as well as the Planning Committee for the Howard Good Samaritan Home and was a member of the SD Aviation Trades Association.  In 2009, Mark was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers ‘Master Pilot’ award for over 50 years of safe flying.

Mark was an avid baseball fan, supporting the VFW Teeners and American Legion teams.  He and his wife were thrilled to be in attendance at the 1991 World Series in Minneapolis cheering the Twins to victory.  During his retirement years Mark spent winters in Florida, Texas and Arizona. Mark and his wife enjoyed traveling the US in their motorhome and also dancing at various jazz and Big Band Festivals.

Mark is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; Cindy (Dan) Callies, Howard, SD, and children Rhonda (Cody) Hoyer (Taiden, Tana, Tyce) and Barry (Dannica) Callies (Kase, Nash); Sandra Breuer, Boise, ID, and son Alex Meyer; Nancy Grassel, Spearfish, SD, and children Kevin, Ben and Isaac Grassel; Tim Breuer (Rachel Winer), Boise, ID; Sara Breuer (Tim Mateer), Austin, TX, and son Henry Mateer; and Terry and (Dianne) Breuer, Southlake, TX, and son Michael; along with many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, two brothers (Robert and Vince) and one sister (Joan Delaney).

TO OFFER A CONDOLENCE GO TO www.willoughbyfh.com

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