Mark K. Kipfmueller, Ph.D.

Mark Karl Kipfmueller, Ph.D, peacefully passed away at home with his family by his side on February 16, 2026, in Waukesha, Wisconsin; he was 97. Born on September 15, 1928, in Owosso, Michigan, Mark led a life marked by dedication to his faith, family, friends, and profession.

Mark is the son of the late Karl and Agnes (Cotter) Kipfmueller, and older brother to the late Leo (Patricia) Kipfmueller and the late Kathleen “Kay” (Bernard) Recker.

Mark was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Marilyn (Pariseau) Kipfmueller, who passed in 2009, and cherished daughters Elizabeth and Kelly (Kipfmueller-Meyer).

Mark is survived by his daughter Barbara (Jean-Yves) Durocher of Campbellford, Canada, his son Jeffrey (Vicki Stram) Kipfmueller of Waukesha and three grandsons, Marc-Andre and Jean-Jacques Durocher of Campbellford, Canada, and Spencer Kipfmueller of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mark is further survived by many relatives in Michigan, many friends in Wisconsin, and his dear friend, Janice McClellan, of Mequon, WI, who brought so much joy to Mark in recent years.

As a young man, Mark was initially called to the priesthood and attended Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. After several years, he had a change of heart and instead pursued a career of helping others through psychology and counseling in academia.

Mark met his wife, Marilyn Pariseau of Bad Axe, MI, while they both studied at Central Michigan University. Both were the first in their families to attend college. They married in 1953 and eventually settled and raised their family in Whitefish Bay, WI.

After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University, Mark enlisted and served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He was based at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, NY, where he provided psychological services for American prisoners of war. He received honors and achieved multiple ranks, concluding his service as a Staff Sergeant. His commitment to the country reflected his values of loyalty and service.

Mark went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Detroit and a Doctorate Degree in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. He worked as a psychologist at the University of Denver before being hired by Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where he worked for over 35 years. At Marquette, he held multiple roles, including director of the student counseling center, psychologist, tenured associate professor, director of the graduate student clinical training program (Counseling Psychology), and dissertation director for many doctoral students until his first retirement in 2000.

Not one to sit idle, Mark then worked as a Clinical Trainer and Supervisor for graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Mount Mary University until his second retirement at age 84. Mark also served the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for over 40 years in the Diaconate Program, providing screening, training, and instruction to deacon candidates until his third and final (!) retirement at the age of 87. Mark authored the “Pastoral Counseling Handbook, for Pastors, Deacons, and Spiritual Advisors,” which remains a valuable resource in pastoral care.

A devout Catholic, Mark was a 45-year member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Whitefish Bay, WI, until 2010 and then Holy Apostles Catholic Church in New Berlin until his passing. He served as a Parish Council member at Holy Apostles for multiple terms. His faith was a cornerstone of his existence, guiding him in his personal and professional life. He prayed daily and was a true believer. He was a kind, generous man who consistently supported charitable organizations dedicated to helping decrease human suffering and increase human potential.

Mark was a lifelong learner and a man of many interests, including his love of reading, traveling (both domestically and internationally into his 80s), enjoying the symphony and theater, solving difficult crossword puzzles, fishing, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Michigan State Spartans and the Marquette Warriors/Golden Eagles basketball team, for which he held season tickets for decades. In addition, you could reliably find Mark and his son’s family at a Fish Fry every Friday night somewhere in southeastern Wisconsin — a testament to his enjoyment of simple pleasures — and his love of bluegill, perch, and walleye!

Mark stayed young by staying active until the very last months of his life and by maintaining a fulfilling social life. He also credited his longevity to an afternoon Scotch on the Rocks tradition. Mark’s easy smile, sharp wit, loud laugh, and his Irish Gift of Gab will surely be missed. His legacy of faith, kindness, wisdom, generosity, and helping others will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him.

The family would like to extend our appreciation for the loving and compassionate care provided by the Froedtert Hospital Oncology Team, the Congregational Home, Horizon Home Care, and the wonderful in-home aides at Always Best Care.

Visitation will be held at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 16000 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin, on February 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM, followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. A lunch reception will take place after Mass. A private interment ceremony will occur at Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon, Wisconsin, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mark’s name to Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, both of which he supported for many years.