Mark Vander Zanden

Mark David Vander Zanden, 84, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, in Cedar Falls, IA. Mark was born February 7, 1942, the son of Norbert and Bernadine (Neuman) Vander Zanden. He was raised in Green Bay, WI, and graduated from Abbot Pennings High School in De Pere, WI. He graduated from St. Norbert College, and married Meg Perkins in 1964.

Mark completed his MS Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and served in the U.S. Army, being deployed in Korea from 1967-1968. He raised his family in Neenah, WI, and was an active member of St. Margaret Mary parish. Mark had a distinguished career working in personnel and employee benefits with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, retiring in 1997. That’s when the fun started.

A Francophile, Mark was made an honorary member of the Amicale Francaise de la Vallee du Renard. He was an avid tennis player at Fox Cities Racquet Club in Appleton, WI, and continued to break racquets in his favorite sport at Deep Canyon Tennis Club in Palm Desert, CA, where he and Meg wintered for over 25 years. He was involved in a wide range of activities at Deep Canyon including golf, cooking, theatre, and music. His love for tennis extended to professional umpiring and volunteering to keep statistics at the Indian Wells Paribas Tennis Tournament.

Mark is survived by his wife of 61 years, Meg Vander Zanden of Cedar Falls; sons, Jake Vander Zanden (Helen Sarakinos) of Madison, WI, and Jed Vander Zanden (Sarah) of Cedar Falls; grandchildren, Milo, Kyra and Theo Vander Zanden; brother-in-law, Charles Perkins (Mary) of Northboro, MA; and niece, Lauren Perkins (Aartie Manansingh) and their children, Charlie and Julian of Pelham, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Bernadine Vander Zanden.

A private service will be held at a later date. Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences with the family.