Mark Henry Dressel, 96, of Medford, died on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Medford Senior Care.

He was born October 20, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Hilton and Beatrice (Brewer) Dressel. Mark graduated from the Darrow Prep School in New Lebanon, N.Y. he then attended Agricultural School in New York, before getting drafted into the United States Army during the Korea War. He went to basic at Fort McCoy then stationed in Germany as an engineer. Mark was visiting Winona with a friend, and he met Sally Sampson and they were later married on November 14, 1953, in LaGrange, Indiana. The couple lived in Marshall, Michigan from 1953 to 1972 when they moved to a farm in Richland Township near Moland. Mark and Sally were blessed with four children and 64 wonderful years together until her passing in 2018.

Mark had a deep love for farming and was happiest when he was surrounded by the life he loved and watching his family grow. Over the years, he raised cattle, hogs, chickens, and other livestock, pouring his hard work and heart into caring for them. Farming wasn't just what he did—it was who he was. Mark also had a lifelong passion for history. On family road trips, he could never resist stopping at a historical marker, making sure to read every word before continuing on. He was always eager to learn something new and could often be found with a nonfiction book in his hands, especially if it was about history. His curiosity, love of learning, and appreciation for the past were qualities that everyone who knew him admired. He will forever be known as Grandpa Great, a name given to him by his great-grandson, Henry.

He is survived by his children, Deborah (George) Gillen of Kenyon, Mark S. (Kim) Dressel of Kenyon and Eric (Julie) Dressel of Faribault; daughter-in-law, Jolene Dressel of North Branch; grandchildren, Betsy (Dave) Doolittle, Andrea (Robb) Finnigsmier, Laurie (Adam) Kirschling, Emily (Brandon) Lazarz, Matt (Whitney) Dressel, Sam (Brianna) Dressel, Jana (Brad) Schiltz, Kara (Brian) Pittman, Tom (Brandie) Dressel, Dianne (Tim) Bennett and Kelli (Josh Burton) Dressel; 31 great-grandchildren and grandson-in-law, Greg Ness.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally; parents, Hilton and Beatrice Dressel; son, David Dressel; his granddaughter Katie Ness; great-grandchildren, Elijah and Asher.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Saturday from 9:30AM AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held August 8, 2026, at 11AM at Michaelson Funeral Home with a time of fellowship immediately following the service at the Owatonna VFW. Interment will be at a later date in the Moland Lutheran Cemetery in rural Kenyon. Memorials are preferred to the Leukemia Foundation. The family would like to extend a generous thank you to Medford Senior Care and to Brighton Hospice, for the love and care they provided for Mark.