Mark Alan Sauskojus, 70, passed away peacefully at home in the presence of his family in Green Bay, WI, on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Mark was born in Glasgow, Montana, on October 17, 1954, to Karl and Elizabeth (Gebennus) Sauskojus. He was raised on the family farm near Peerless in northeast Montana, where he enjoyed being his dad's right-hand man, helping drive the tractor, mend fences, and, for a few years, raising cattle. He attended a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade and graduated from Lustre Christian Bible Academy with a class of 11 in 1972. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from Montana State University Bozeman, graduating in 1976. From 1976 to 1977, he served on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, working with chapters at MSU Bozeman and Western Montana State University in Dillon.

On July 24, 1977, Mark began his career with International Harvester at the Hinsdale Engineering Center in Hinsdale, IL, as a test engineer for prototype 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel assist tractors. He retired in 2018 after 41 years with International Harvester, Tenneco, Case, CNH, and finally CNH Industrial. During his career, he worked at the Hinsdale Engineering Center, Arizona Proving Grounds in Phoenix and Sacaton, the Racine Test Center, and later returned to CNH Industrial at the same facility where he began.

After moving to Bolingbrook, IL, to begin work at International Harvester, Mark met the family of Bill Bridenstine of St. Charles, IL, whose parents, Mom and Pop Bridenstine, were instrumental in founding InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Montana and hosted the meetings in Dillon. Through them, he met his wife, Penny. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1978, at Riverwoods Christian Center in St. Charles.

Mark and Penny enjoyed camping, traveling, visiting the farm in Montana, and spending time with family and friends at their timeshare in New Smyrna Beach. Most of all, Mark loved being with his family and attending the activities of his children and grandchildren whenever he had the opportunity.

On June 28, 2015, he was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Paul (Gassios) of the (Christian) Orthodox Church in America. He served as a deacon at St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge, IL, until 2023. After moving to Green Bay that same year, he served at St. Matthew Orthodox Church until his health no longer permitted. Serving in the various church services was where he felt most fulfilled.

Mark is survived by his wife and best friend, 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.

Family and friends may call at St. Matthew Orthodox Church, 607 Ravenswood Dr., Green Bay, WI 54302. Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM on Friday, May 30, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 7:00 PM. On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Divine Liturgy will be served at 8:30 AM with Fr. John Thetford officiating, followed by visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at 2:00 PM at Holy Trinity Cemetery, 6397 CTH-NN, Denmark, WI 54208.

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.