Tailwinds Forever Mark Grgurich

Sat September 05 2009
Posted Sep 4, 2009
16,767

Des Moines September 4th 2009 Mark Grgurich's funeral took place on a breezy but yet beautiful Friday. The same day that a pick-up who may have killed him on G14 East of Cumming was impounded. Seventy plus cyclists showed up in the Beaverdale area to ride to the funeral. A slow procession-like pack crept toward Westover Funeral Home off 63rd street.

When we got close to the funeral home, I got goosebumps as I saw the Team Wind RAGBRAI Team bus that Mark was a member of. Inside the funeral home were two large collages of photos from Mark's celebrated life. Always a big grin, always with friends, always looking very happy. At the family's wishes, the cyclists waited until all family and other friends were seated. Many cyclists went inside and some stayed outside. Several people including Mark's brother Joel and his niece spoke of Mark and the fond memories they had. Other coworkers, art aficionados and cycling friends lent their memories to the attendees there that afternoon. From his Wisconsin cycling trips to his love of literature and the arts it was apparent Mark did live life to the fullest. Following the funeral a surreal procession of cars, trucks, the Team Wind bus and cyclists proceeded to the burial site to lay Mark to Rest on that breezy but yet beautiful Friday. Remembrance forum Rest in Peace Mark Tailwinds forever.