Obituary of Mark Whalen

WHALEN Mr, Mark Steven. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, brother and uncle, Mark Whalen on Saturday February 19th, 2011. He passed away suddenly at home. Mark is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Karla Rempel; loving daughters, Tessa and Juliana; sisters Patricia Lowe (Bradley), Theresa Scott and Debra Buswell (Todd); brother Michael Whalen (Bernice); Sisters-in-law Brenda MacFarland, Debra Rempel (Gary Watson), Shelley Rempel (Myron Kramar); brother-in-law Lyle Rempel; nephews Matthew Lowe, Andrew Whalen (Cheryl), Aaron Buswell, Christopher Buswell, Dan Gagnon (Catherine Napierala) and Lucas Kramar; nieces Robyn Woodman (Sherman), Kristie Fesuk (Chris), Amanda Scott, Annie Kramar and numerous great nieces and nephews. Mark was pre-deceased by his parents Bernice and Patrick Whalen; father-in-law Peter Rempel and mother-in-law Minnie Rempel. Mark was born September 17th, 1966 in Hamilton, Ontario, the youngest child of Patrick and Bernice Whalen. He attended Holy Family School for his elementary education and Bishop Ryan High School. Mark began working as a DJ in 1982 at the age of 16 at the Jockey Club. Thus began his 29 year love affair with music and entertaining people. In 1990, Mark met the other love-of-his life, Karla. Within days, Mark had decided that Karla was the person he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Karla and Mark moved out west in 1992. On July 16th, 1994, they were married at St Olaf Lutheran Church. Tessa was born 2 years later in 1996. In 1997, Mark and Karla made the decision to start their mobile Disc Jockey business, All For You Music. Mark loved his business and it quickly developed into a thriving part-time venture. In 2000, Mark and Karla bought their first home. Mark also joined the Swift Current Kinsmen Club. Mark had seen Telemiracle on TV and couldn’t believe how Saskatchewan people came together to help those who needed it most. He just knew he had to be a part of it. In his 11 years with the Kinsmen, Mark never missed attending Telemiracle! His commitment to community and his love of people led to Mark joining the Kinsmen Foundation Board in 2009. He embraced his new role with passion and commitment. Karla and Mark continued to work together on the business and at their own full time jobs while raising Tessa…life was busy! But in a happy, loving home, there is always room for one more and in 2002, Juliana arrived. With their family complete, Mark and Karla worked side by side to make their business and family a success. In 2008, with increasing demand, Mark and Karla finally decided that it was time for Karla to step out from behind and take an active role as an additional DJ for the business. In business they stayed committed to providing the best possible experience for their customers. A week before Mark’s passing; the entire family played the Ashley Park School dance. Mark always brought smiles and laughter to everyone he met. In November 2010, Mark collapsed at work in cardiac arrest. His co-workers performed CPR and EMS came and shocked his heart. After 3 weeks of hospitalization, he was released with an ICD (defibrillator/pacemaker) implanted in his chest. He was told he had a congenital heart defect and that his aortic valve needed to be replaced. True to form, Mark did not simply wait around. He threw himself passionately into helping Karla in her job of raising awareness and support for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan. He also returned to work part-time and resumed DJing. His greatest desire was to encourage others to help make a difference which he continued to do until his sudden cardiac death in the early hours of February 19th. The funeral service was held on Friday, February 25, 2011 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. The interment was held at Memory Gardens Cemetery. We would like to extend special thanks to the EMS and the Emergency room staff at the Cypress Regional Hospital for your heroic efforts to save Mark’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a trust account established for Mark’s children at the Innovation Credit Union, account number 830510277312. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Please sign the memorial register at website: parksidefuneralhome.com