Mark A. Tighe

Mark A Tighe, 95 of Homer, Nebraska passed away Saturday, May 18, 2024 at a local Sioux City, Iowa hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May, 23, 2024 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, in Winnebago, NE.   Burial will follow at St. Cornelius Cemetery, Homer, NE. Visitation, with family present, will begin on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 with a Rosary at 4pm, followed by visitation and the Vigil Service at 7pm at Mohr-Becker Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE. Please visit us online to offer online condolences at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Mark was born April 28^th, 1929, the sixth child of nine, to Paul and Julia (Todd) Tighe. The family resided in Herman, NE at that time. His mother became suddenly ill during her seventh month of pregnancy with Mark and was rushed to Omaha for an emergency C-section. Mark was not expected to live, and his older sisters cared for him until his mother was well enough.  The family moved to Jackson, NE around 1933. He walked along the railroad tracks to catholic school in town. In 1939, the family moved to Mark’s current farm located in Homer.  He attended school in Homer, where he had an affinity for athletics over academics. His passions were football and basketball and excelled in both, as he was recognized by The Omaha World Herald for his abilities. He graduated from Homer High School in 1948 and farmed with his father until he served in the Korean War from 1951-1953. While he was in the Army, he operated heavy equipment, building bridges and roads in Korea.

After the war, Mark returned home to rejoin the farming operation. Several years after returning home, he met Colleen Schumacher at the Shore Acres Ballroom. They eventually married in 1958 and set up residence in a tiny house in Homer. They moved several times, eventually returning to the family farmhouse in 1966. 

Mark loved farming. It was extremely hard work back in those days, putting in row crops, caring for livestock, and saying a lot of prayers for rain. He was a life-long user and very loyal to International Harvester equipment (he loved the red tractors). His favorite models were the M and H. His legacy to his family was a strong work ethic and faith in God. 

Mark served the Homer community well, volunteering whenever help was needed. He served on the Omadi Ditch board for many years and served on the Homer School Board for 13 years. He was a member of the American Legion Buckland Post #97. One of his favorite things to do was to plant a big, sweet corn patch to share with family and friends.  This year’s patch is in the ground!

Besides farming, Mark enjoyed watching sports and had an affinity for anything trains. He was his kids and grandkids first coach and biggest fan.  Nebraska Football also held a special place in his heart. Anytime Hail Varsity came on the TV or radio, the volume went up. He and Colleen enjoyed season tickets for several years, even attending some bowl games. 

In recent years, you could find Mark most mornings at Pronto in Homer, having coffee with his buddies. It was usually the highlight of his day.  He never quit farming. He always worried about not getting enough rain, getting the corn planted, how the harvest was yielding, etc. 

From his chair in the living room, he could see out over the farm while watching Andy Griffith and Gunsmoke on TV. He would watch just about any televised sporting event, but his favorite was college football. Some days he could be found watching golf, and he said he would have liked to have tried playing it. 

Mark is lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Colleen, his sons Paul (Lisa) Tighe of Homer, Mark (Sue) Tighe of Sioux City, IA, Ron (Julie) Tighe of Dakota City, NE, Brian (Natalie) Tighe of Stanton, NE , David (Christine) Tighe, of Kearney, NE, and daughter JoAnne (Rodney) Harris of South Sioux City, NE, 17 Grandchildren and 24 Great Grandchildren, 2 brothers, Richard ( Wynn Ann) Tighe of Webster City, IA, and Robert Tighe of Monticello, IA. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Julia Tighe, stepmother Florence Renz Tighe, brothers John (Jean), Louis (Helen), and Paul, sisters Mary (Felix) Dorcey, Patricia (Joe) Dorcey, Ramona (Lee) Kovensky, sisters-in-law Margot Tighe and Elizabeth Tighe, and brother-in-law Glenn Schumacher.