Mark William Gassen, Sr.
Mark William Gassen, Sr., 60, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away in his home on March 30, 2010. He was born January 10, 1950 to William and Inez Gassen of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mark graduated from Leavenworth High School, Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1968 and attended Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas.
Mark and his brother, Kevin Gassen, founded Mega Circuits of Kansas City, Kansas, in 1984 and managed the company until 1996. He joined Rohm and Haas as regional account manager in 1996 and retired in late 2007. During his retirement he was employed at Ted Manufacturing Corporation.
With his love for music, he started the band Ossian as their lead guitarist. Mark also enjoyed being outside, reading books and spending time with family and friends.
Mark was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife, Mary Gassen of Shawnee, Kansas; his six children, Mark, Jr. and Rainie Gassen of Savannah, Georgia, Megan Gassen of Shawnee, Kansas, Ryan O’Connor of Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts, Neil O’Connor of Phoenix, Arizona, Benjamin and Kindra O’Connor of Pittsburg, Kansas, William and Maureen Pranker of Pittsburg, Kansas; three grandchildren Aidyn Pranker, Raven and William Gassen; brothers, Kenneth, Kevin, and Eric Gassen; and his sisters, Janice Morris, Jennifer Bosacci and Michelle Galbreath. He is loved by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family suggest memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation with family will be from 12:00-1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 6, 2010, with Mass Service to follow at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 5501 Monticello Road, Shawnee, Kansas 66226.
Print Obituary & Condolences
Offer Condolence for the family of Mark William Gassen, Sr.
Messages of Condolence
Please share your thoughts ...
QR Code for this Obituary
Use your Smartphone to scan the QR Code on the right to access this page on your phone.Grief Video Series
Join Grief Expert, Doug Manning in his Journey Through Grief video series.
Watch the Grief Videos here.Would you like to order flowers?
If you would like to order flowers please see the selection available at Russell Florist. Click here to see all of the available floral arrangements.
Mark Gassen was a great man. I always looked up to him and thought the world of him. He cared for everyone like his own. He was fair and intellegent, funny and good tempered. I greatly enjoyed his company and will miss him.
Please know that I am thinking of you all. Your family is so important to me and I love you all. I know that this is a difficult time, but please know that you have so many people who love you and are here for you. I know that Mark has a special place in my heart and I will never forget the good times we all shared together. I will cherish those moments always!
I am deeply saddened by the lose of a really wonderful man.
I am very sorry for your lose. I will always remember Mark as the handsome, musician with a delightful sense of humor. We weren’t much more than kids when he was married to my sister; Mark was always teasing and playing little pranks—he was responsible for much laughter. His nickname for me was Petunia—I never knew why he called me that but every time he saw me he would say “Hey Petunia, how are you doing?” So ever since then, when I see a petunia I remember that fun-loving young man and smile. My prayers are with the family in this sad and difficult time. God bless.
Maureen…my thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Please accept my tears, along with yours, and pray they make the pain less painful…
We are so sorry for your great loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Bernie and Wanda
So sorry to hear about Mark. Wish I’d known he lived here in Shawnee I would have looked him up.
Mark was the one who gave me my nickname.
What a great guy, it hurts to hear of his death.
Yours truly
Bing
Mike Birmingham aka… Bing on Your comment is awaiting moderation. April 4th, 2010 9:53 am
So sorry to hear about Mark. Wish I’d known he lived here in Shawnee I would have looked him up.
Mark was the one who gave me my nickname.
What a great guy, it hurts to hear of his death.
Yours truly
Bing
Forty years ago, years before Ossian, Mark played organ and I was one of the singers for a band we were in called Daze & Knights; remember the Hill-Top. He was the youngest fellow in the band and all the guys in the band called him “Kid.” He was a good friend and I remember his good humor and infectious smile; an easy going good “Kid” that became a good man. I remember Mark with great memories from our youth. My prayers are with you the family of a great human being. God be with you in this time of sorrow.
Mark was a great man. He was a great role model to me. Hell the man saved my marriage. He was a great father, a great husband and one hell of a man. I cared for Mark like a father, he was the closet thing that i had to a dad and Mark I loved you for that DUDE! I will never forget the advise you have given and the knowledge that your shared. Thanks for everything Mark.
My family and I have been saddened to hear about Uncle Mark’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children and the rest of the family, during this difficult time.
Words cannot accurately express the sadness I felt in hearing of the loss of this good man. Mark had a beautiful smile that reached all the way to his eyes and a wonderful personality. He was such a gifted musician. Loved listening to him and Kevin play many times. I watched one night when he made his guitar “talk” on stage at One Block West. Knowing Mark was truly a special privilege, one I will always appreciate and hold dear. Inez and William raised a great group of children and I have them all in my thoughts and prayers. And like the others said before, they were all good at giving everyone nicknames…..I am forever, Janey.
My condolences go out to the Gassen family. I had good memories growing up in LV and going to One Block West and seeing Mark and Ossian. Thoughts are with you Kevin, Eric, Michelle and all the Gassen Family.
John
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you all in my thoughts today as you say your goodbyes.
Mary,
I am so sorry to hear about Mark. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts.
Mary,
Words cannot begin to express the sadness I feel knowing that Mark has left this world. In all the years I knew Mark there was never a time that I didn’t listen with great regard to his every word. He was a wise man, a great person and will never be forgotten.
Mary, my heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Know that you have many friends sending their love and strength to you at this time of loss.
Love,
Judy Sickler
Ken, Janice, , Jenny, Michelle, Kevin, Eric and all the family:
With deepest sympathy to each of you- it is not easy to lose a sibling. I still feel our loss.
Mark was talented and your parents were proud of him.
It is so nice he got to enjoy family: wife, children and and especially grandkids which are great.
God Bless each of you and help you through your sorrow.
With love and sympathy
Dee and Jerry
PS Chris and Mike and their families send their sympathy also.
To the Gassen/O’Conner family, We are very sorry for your loss. I know words cannot describe the heartache you are left with but God is a healer and a comforter and my He comfort you and heal your heart at this time and forever. Mark was a wonderful person and we are glad we got the privilage to know him.
With love and sympathy
Ronnie and Janelle
Ken –
Sorry for the loss of your brother. May God bless you and your family . Our prayers are with you.
Steve & Mary Crecelius
To Marks Family,
I have alot of memories when my brothers and I got to live with a family that was so good to us. The boys loved to get us girls. Mark made it fun. Marks mother was a second mother to me.
I know that God is with all of you, And Mark is with God looking over all.
The family will be in my prayers.
Love Mary – Beth
,