On August 6, 2014, Marc Josef Speiker, age 43, was called home after a fast and intense battle with colon cancer. The visitation will be on Sunday, August 10, 2014, from 3-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and also one hour prior to the mass at church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, August 11 at 11 am, at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. Father Tom Sieg will preside.
Marc will forever live in the hearts of those who knew him for his passion and energy for life, his intelligence and wit, and his fierce loyalty to family, friends, and God. Marc had endless generosity towards others, a big and warm heart, and a great sense of humor. He respected life and nature and paid close attention to all of its beauty. He embraced every aspect of his life and experienced it with grace, integrity, and with the mentality of enjoying life to the fullest!
On July 28, 1971, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Charles and Gloria (Schmid) Speiker proudly welcomed the first of three children into the family, son, Marc. First raised in the State of Virginia, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 6, where Marc spent the remainder of his childhood. A proud Eagle Scout, he also enjoyed playing saxophone, soccer, racquetball, and was especially proud of being the King of driveway basketball. Marc graduated from Millard North High School in 1989 near the top of his class. Marc cherished and sustained his many life-long friendships from these precious days.
Advancing his education at Creighton University, Marc earned a degree in Economics and graduated summa cum laude . He then worked for 17 years for HSBC, culminating in him serving as a Senior Vice President of Sales. Marc then continued his career at Endura Financial Credit Union, as the Director of Sales. Those who worked with him universally express his tremendous leadership gifts – including his ability to make a permanent impact on people’s lives (both in and out of the workplace), bring out the best in others, and inspire others with his passion for doing what he did.
On June 24, 2004, Marc’s life changed forever. While sitting side by side on a flight to Chicago, he met the love of his life, Michelle McNeil. Their love flourished and on June 30, 2007, they declared their love for each other and were married at the Church of St. Michael, in Prior Lake, MN. On October 19, 2012, Marc became the proud dad to MaKayla Mae Speiker. He loved her unconditionally and loved every minute spent being in her presence. Marc was so looking forward to the newest member of the family, who is expected in February of 2015.
Marc lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, BBQ’s, singing karaoke, card games, contests of all types, and especially dancing. Marc’s selfless nature meant he was always assuring there was enjoyment had by all no matter the event or activity at hand. He and Michelle enjoyed traveling all over the United States and abroad, with special memories of their trip to Italy and Germany in 2006. Being a great neighbor, Marc forged strong bonds in his neighborhood and took pride in his manicured lawn. He also relished the times spent with his four-legged companion, Leia. Marc’s incredible impact on the lives of so many are captured in the testimonials at: www.caringbridge.org/marcspeiker .
Left to honor Marc’s life and mourn his passing are his wife of 7 years, Michelle; daughter, MaKayla and a baby to be born in February 2015; parents, Charles and Gloria Speiker; brother, Matthew and Sasha Speiker and their children, Jack, Savanna and Sofia; sister, Rebecca and Jeff Bortolotti and their children, Alexander, Isabella and Samuel; parents-in-law, Robert and Joann McNeil; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many devoted friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Marc home in heaven are his grandparents, Joseph and Phyllis Speiker, Jack and Lillian Schmid; aunt, Mary Ann Lindberg and cousin, Kate Schmid.
A memorial fund has been set up in honor of Marc and for his family.
Memorials can be sent to:
Endura Financial Federal Credit Union
C/O Speiker Family Memorial Fund
5825 Xerxes Avenue N
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2472
