RYSER, Mark S., age 76

Died: Tuesday, June 18th, 2024

A Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the funeral home

Visitation: 10:00 a.m. until time of service

Reception: will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Wild Ridge Golf Course (3647 Kane Road, Eau Claire)

Private Interment

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be given in memory of Mark to Eau Claire Babe Ruth Baseball (P.O. Box 1261, Eau Claire, WI  54702) or the Eau Claire County Humane Association - https://eccha.org/

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, we lost an exceptionally kind, forever boisterous, and uniquely motivated man. Mark Scott Ryser passed away in his sleep as his heart gave out after decades of loving every small thing in this world. He touched the lives of everyone he knew and his gift of making everyone smile, lives on in his passing.

Born to the late Elizabeth (Statz) and Albert Ryser, Jr. on February 2, 1948 in Madison, Wisconsin, Mark worked diligently to better the lives of those around him and lived every moment to its fullest.

As a young man, Mark found a special place in sports. At both Aquinas High School in La Crosse and Eau Claire Memorial, Mark was a two sport athlete: track and wrestling and started his journey in golf. He held the 110 Hurdle record at Memorial for a decade and was 39-6 as a wrestler. He continued wrestling at UW-Eau Claire where he competed nationally. In his 30's, he dedicated himself to golf and it showed with five Hillcrest Club Championships, two hole in ones, and many beautiful walks down the fairway.

Mark was a quirky and fun loving high school math teacher for 30+ years, most of them at Eleva Strum High School. He always told his students, if they came up and recited the quadratic formula to him after they graduated, he'd give them a dollar and that happened more times than he expected. Additionally, he trained many teachers and implemented a new investigative math curriculum that was utilized many years after his retirement helping to mold future generations of teachers.

Mark didn't keep his athletic and teaching acumen to himself as he spent 4 years coaching wrestling, 22 years coaching golf (12 conference championships), and 14 years as the president of the Eau Claire Babe Ruth Baseball. In his time as president, they won 17 state championships, 5 regional championships, sent 5 teams to the World Series, and hosted 6 Ohio Valley Regional Tournaments. Due to those accolades he was inducted to the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame (2021), and the Ohio Valley Region Hall of Fame (2024).

Mark could always be found gallivanting around Eau Claire sporting his Wisconsin Badger red, carrying his dogs, Buddy and Junior, making complete strangers stop and wave for pictures. He had a zest for life that couldn't be stopped by any naysayer, barrier, or rule. When he made up his mind that something was "neat" it must be done. That constant determination to make people smile through his vision was one of a kind. The world lost an ungroundable man, and his attitude will live on in all that knew him and will lift the spirits of generations to come.

Mark leaves behind his loving family: sons, Shawn (Becca) Ryser, Nathan Kilness, Matt (Kyla) Kilness, and Dustin (Audrey) Kilness; their mother, Debbie Kilness-Ryser; grandchildren, Addison Ryser, Easton & Oliver Kilness, Nicholas, Madeline, Lilly, Kara, & Parker Kilness, and Aamira & Ian Kilness; sisters, Jacalyn (Brad) McDaniel and Barbara Ryser; sisters-in-law, Helen Ryser and Deb Ryser; two beloved dogs, Buddy and Junior; along with countless other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Scott; and brother-in-law, Shad Young.

To truly honor his memory, take a minute and admire a sunset, soak up the pure joy of a child's laughter, and never waste a moment to make a stranger smile. Happy Trails, Mark. Until we meet again.