Mark Solberg

Mark David Solberg, age 22, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2011, at Triumph Hospital in Fargo, ND. Mark was born on November 24, 1988 in Grand Forks. He attended West Elementary, Valley Middle, and graduated with honors from Grand Forks Central High School in 2007. Mark was in his fourth year at the University of North Dakota with a major in Rehabilitation and Human Services and a minor in Music. Mark had a passion for music, beginning with Grand Cities Children's Choir, Keep the Faith musical, and continuing through the years with high school choirs, and Concert choir, Jazz choir, and Varsity Bards at UND, as well as Valley Chordsmen in the Greater Grand Forks community. He also enjoyed singing many solos and in other ensembles, as well as karaoke at Rhombus Guys. Diagnosed with Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy at age four, Mark always had challenges to overcome, but he always did so with a smile on his face. His courageous and positive attitude was recognized through the Marcus Bryant Spirit Award in 2004. Many of his favorite memories were from MDA Summer Camp. Mark was always very proud of his annual collection effort for the MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon, personally collecting over $40,000 with all his hard work over the years. He was the ND MDA Goodwill Ambassador for three years and was also an honorary member of the Grand Forks Fire Department Local 242 and took part in the annual fill-the-boot campaign for MDA. Mark was a regular movie-goer, seeing over 370 movies with his dad over the years. He also loved to play games like Scrabble, work on his computer, listen to music, watch American Idol, go swimming at the Rehab, go to concerts, and spend time with his nieces and nephews. In Mark's short life he inspired many with his positive attitude and contagious smile. He was often spotted cruising around Grand Forks in his power chair, scoping out rummage sales, or just taking in a leisurely drive on the bike trails. Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marvin and Myrtle Solberg. Mark is dearly loved and will be missed by his parents, David and Bonnie Solberg; Brother Matt (Brooke) Solberg of Grand Forks; Sister Amy (Nathan) Fiala of East Grand Forks, MN; Sister Megan Solberg of Grand Forks; Nieces and Nephews Aidan and Claire Fiala, Blake (Godson) and Brynn Solberg; Grandparents Edwin and Verona Johnson of Twin Valley, MN; and many aunts, uncles, and cousinsbut Heaven gets an Angel that loves to sing... Visitation will be Thursday, May 5 from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at University Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m., with visitation one hour before services, at University Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks following the service.