Mark G. Hietpas

Mark was born in Little Chute, WI on December 13, 1932 to the late William P. and Margaret (Verhagen) Hietpas.   Mark was married at St. Clare Parish in Wrightstown to Ruth Gussert, the first love of his life, for 34 years and blessed with 7 children.  Ruth preceded him in death.  Later, he married the second love of his life, Gladys Vaubel, at St. Mary’s Church in Kaukauna, and they enjoyed 25 years together.  Gladys also preceded him in death.

Mark was very proud of his service time, both as an army veteran serving during the Korean War, and as Captain in the Little Chute Fire Department.  He spent years in the construction business, driving semi, owning and operating Mark and Ruth’s Tavern, and retired from the Village of Little Chute’s public works department.  Throughout his life, Mark loved to travel, especially with life-long friends Ray and Maggie Coenen and Ron and Tess Coenen.  Family and friends were important to Mark. He enjoyed playing a spirited game of Sheephead and other card games. Faith was essential in Mark’s life as he was a member of St. John’s Church for the majority of his life and he also appreciated attending mass daily the past few years at the chapel at St. Paul Elder Care’s Assisted Living in Kaukauna.  Mark was the man that everyone loved talking to.  He carried himself in such a way that made people feel like they were the most important person in the room.  He had a warm heart and loved to tell stories of the good ol’ days, never forgetting a name.

Mark is survived by his and Ruth’s 7 children and 23 grandchildren:  Phil Hietpas (Liberty, Brody, Kyle, Nicole, Jake, Kaitlin); Barb (Jerry) Meulemans (Eric, Lukas, Amber); Karen Hietpas (Chuck Fox) (Corey, Troy, Dana); Kelly (Andy) Hietpas (Jonathan, Ashley, Aaron); Sandy (Mark) Diedrich (Michael, Emily, Sara); Sally (Rick) Stoeger (Amanda, Ryan); and Kevin (Dawn) Hietpas (Olivia, Anna, Avery).  This Hietpas family has grown to add 33 great-grandchildren.  Glady’s children:  Nancy (Mike) Jacobson; Karen (Dan) Heyerdahl (Heather, Sarah, Justin); Tom (Bethann) Vaubel (Michael, Eric, Abby); and Jane (Dave) Moreau (Leah, Mark, Kevin).  The Vaubel family has grown to add 5 great-grandchildren.  

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, son-in-law John VanLankvelt, great grand daughter Quinn, and his siblings:  Arthur (Irene) Hietpas, Paul (Ethel) Hietpas, Patricia (Henry) Tatro, Bernice (Ted) Larson, Owen (Irene) Hietpas, Bill (Yvonne) Hietpas, Betty (Casey) VanderSanden, Shirley (Bill) Mattern, Margaret Hietpas, and Dennis Hietpas.

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, with Fr. Ron Belitz officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the mass. A meal will follow in the church fellowship. Burial will take place at St. John Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the many wonderful staff that cared for and loved Mark these past few years, months, weeks, and days:  St. Paul Elder Care Villa staff, Moments Hospice staff, Compassus Hospice staff, and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital staff.  You assisted our father on his final journey, and we are forever thankful.