Mark Earl Bestgen, 16, Whitewood, died Tuesday on the family place, August 19, 2008.

Visitation will be Friday from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. A Rosary led by Father Arnold Kari will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

A Latin Requiem Mass for family and friends that wish to attend will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Martin's Chapel in Sturgis with Father Chris Hathaway officiating. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery. A memorial fellowship time with a lunch will begin at 12:00 noon at the KC Hall at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Mark was born December 2, 1991, in Sturgis to Roch and Rita (Ingalls) Bestgen. He grew up on the Family farm where he was a very hard worker and a crucial part of the Sod Farm. Mark was also very busy with innovative projects and had many hobbies including hunting, dirt biking, snowboarding, paintballing, video games, and numerous other activities with family and friends. He was home schooled and very involved in his church where he was an altar server and a member of the choir He spent a lot of his time volunteering for numerous things including helping with the care of St. Aloysius Cemetery. Mark always had a smile for everyone that he met and enjoyed visiting with people no matter how young or old. An important part of Mark's life was his faith, he put God first, his family second, and himself last. He was a loving son and a gracious brother; he will be deeply missed by all who had the honor and pleasure of knowing him.

Mark is survived by his parents, Roch and Rita Bestgen, Whitewood; seven brothers, Dirk (Twyla) Bestgen, Sturgis, Paul Bestgen, Sioux Falls, SD, Luke (Jessica) Bestgen, Whitewood, John Bestgen, Sturgis, and Adam, Andrew, and Loman Bestgen, all of Whitewood; four sisters, Karen (Darren) Gebes, Wallace, MI, and Mauri, Juliana, and Kaylene Bestgen, all of Whitewood; seven nieces and nephews, Blase, Stephen, Cormac, Rex, Shelby, Taylor, and Sarah; his grandparents, Howard and Kay Ingalls, Opal, SD, and Phil and Darlene Bestgen, Whitewood; his great-grandmother, Margery Ingalls, Sturgis; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Blase, and his great-grandparents.

A memorial has been established to the St. Aloysius Cemetery Association.