Mark Joseph Ringblom
It is with profound sadness that we share the news about the passing of Mark Joseph Ringblom, 66, otherwise known as” Ring” by friends and fellow linemen. He passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born to Darwin and Mary Ringblom on July 22, 1960. Mark graduated from East De Pere High School in 1978.After high school Mark worked landscape and construction jobs. In 1984, Mark hit the road to do cable TV system construction. After a few years doing that, he realized the real future was in the power lineman's trade. He applied and was accepted into the Mountain State Line Construction apprenticeship program to work at becoming a journeyman lineman. After working as a journeyman lineman, he went to receive further training and attained his Liveline Barehand certification and Linemaster Robotic Arm certification. He finished his career and retired as a member of the IBEW Kansas local 304.
Ring lived life on his own terms and didn’t care if you were offended by something he said. He was quick witted and spoke the truth in his own unfiltered manner. If you weren’t offended and accepted this and gave him the business right back, he respected you and you gained a lifelong friend. Before retiring, Ring bought a shop in Kansas and started to get back into restoring and repairing cars. He also took up welding and fabricating. He would call and ask questions about the latest materials for painting or to share something he learned on a Youtube video about welding or fabricating. We would end up spending hours talking about cars, welding, fabricating, and about the latest project we were working on. He was a lifelong learner.
Mark was proceeded in death by his parents Darwin and Mary Ringblom. He is survived by his brother Steve Ringblom and wife Chelle. We would like to extend our sincere thank you to Salina Regional Health Center, ICU staff and his nurse Sherry and the staff at the Rebecca A. Morrison house. A huge thank you to Keegan, Travis, Theresa and Don for stepping up for us in Kansas. Leaving your own homes to help strangers shows exactly what the lineman's brotherhood is all about. We are incredibly grateful to you. I remember when I showed up at his shop with my truck I built and popped the hood he said, “I could look at this all day”. I think that was his way of saying well done little brother. We went to a car show in Larned, KS and that day cruising with him in my truck is something I will cherish forever. Love you brother! Details for a celebration of life will be announced at a later time.