The funeral service will be live-streamed via Youtube. A link will be posted on Thursday afternoon for the Friday services.

HERE IS THE LINK:  https://youtube.com/live/NnW8Lbk52_Q?feature=share

Mark Rodney Kolbo, passed away at age 69 on March 11, 2026.

There will be visitation at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Mark will be on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Michigan Lutheran Church, Michigan ND with Reverend Valerie Teppo officiating. There will be an hour of visitation at the Michigan Lutheran Church prior to the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Michigan Lutheran Church, Devils Lake Community Orchestra or the Elks Community Band in memory of Mark.

He was born to Robert and Beverly (Bailey) Kolbo in Zumbrota, Minnesota on August 25, 1956. Mark grew up in Zumbrota, attended Zumbrota High School and graduated with the class of 1974. During high school Mark participated with the high school band and marching band playing trombone and was also on the football team.

Mark continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in music. He felt a calling to the ministry and in 1980, he enrolled at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN and graduated with his Master’s in Theology in 1984. While in college he served an internship at Trinity Lutheran Parish in Binford, Our Savior’s in McHenry and Gethsemane in Tolna ND from 1982-1983.

Mark was ordained on June 3, 1984 at United Redeemer Church in Zumbrota. He then dedicated the next 42 years serving many rural congregations in North Dakota. His first call was to Trinity Bethany, Harvey: Vang Lutheran, Manfred: Hoff Lutheran in Heimdal from 1984 to 1987. From 1987 to 1999 he was the Pastor at United Lutheran, Brocket: Lawton Lutheran: Bethlehem Lutheran, Doyon.

Pastor Mark then turned his attention to the many parishes needing an Interim Pastor. This was his mission from 1999 to 2003 at First Lutheran, Hoople: United Lutheran, Langdon: Christ Lutheran, Neche: Pembina Lutheran, Pembina; Milton Lutheran, Milton, and Dovre Lutheran, Osnabrock ND.

The need was great for full-time Pastors, so Mark answered the call to serve Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rolla and Trinity Lutheran in Perth (closed in 2010) from 2003 until 2018. This was supposed to be his year of retirement in 2018 but he soon became the part-time Pastor at Michigan Lutheran. Mark particularly enjoyed teaching young people and even taught his Church School class the night of his passing from this life to eternal life.

Mark was united in marriage to his beloved soulmate Lisa Crandall on August 13, 1988, in Duluth, MN. They lived in Brocket and were blessed with the birth of their son Carl in 1994. While in Brocket Mark served on the Brocket volunteer fire department and Lakota school board. In 1999, they moved to Crary and called it home through the years.

No matter where Mark served, music was always an important addition to the worship services. He was an endearing presence in the women’s organizations and committees. He inspired them to participate and conduct Bible studies, to be an organization of charity, kindness, and love. He was instrumental in bringing Sunday services and weekly devotionals into homes through internet media sources.

Mark was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan, Minnesota Wild hockey fan, Minnesota Golden Gophers football and hockey fan and always a River Falls fan. He was elated when the River Falls football team was National Champions this year. He considered himself somewhat of a wine connoisseur and was an avid reader. His talents as a cook, baker, griller, gardener, and Hibiscus grower were top notch and well known in the area. He loved animals and adored his cats at home. He enjoyed trying new recipes. He brought pies, cheesecakes, baked goods, produce from his gardens and fruit from his fruit trees to shut-ins, neighbors, friends, and the food pantries in Devils Lake and Michigan. He served his church, his community, his neighbors, and his friends in so many special, kind, and caring ways. Some of his handyman skills were questionable, but he would take on the challenge and never give up until the task was accomplished.

His love of music and musical talents playing French horn and trombone (trumpet, and flute player) were a welcome addition to the Devils Lake Community Orchestra for 37 years, Langdon Community Band, Elks Community Band, Heartland Community Orchestra in Rugby and the Belcourt Community Band. He has participated in the Michigan Easter Cantatas playing French Horn or singing the past several years. He enjoyed collecting vintage brass instruments.

For forty‑two years he shepherded God’s people, a musician whose gifts rose like prayer, and a devoted husband and father whose life was a quiet testament to the holiness of love.

Mark’s loving family include his wife Lisa; siblings Leslie McDonald, Minneapolis, MN, Robert “Craig” (Linda) Kolbo, Cheynne WY, and Paul (Sarah) Kolbo, Minneapolis MN; in-laws Laurie (William) Bastian and Terri (Genia) Crandall, all of Duluth MN; many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He has been reunited with his precious son Carl, parents Robert and Beverly and in-laws Donald and Helen Crandall.

Mark R. Kolbo, 69 of Crary, ND passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Altru Hospital, Devils Lake, ND

There will visitation at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Mark will be on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Michigan Lutheran Church, Michigan ND with Reverend Valerie Teppo officiating.