Mark Richard Berns was born on January 6, 1952, in Lohrville, Iowa, to Robert and Pauline (Silbaugh) Berns Sr. He passed away on September 3, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas, with his family by his side following a sudden illness. Mark grew up on the family farm in Lohrville with his parents and three older brothers, Robert Jr., Daniel, and Stanley. The family later moved to a farm in Churdan, Iowa, where Mark attended Paton-Churdan Schools.
He was active in 4-H, earning Champion ribbons for his hog projects, and played on the high school football team. After high school, Mark moved to Perry, Iowa, where he worked at the Oscar Mayer plant. He later met Patricia (Trish) Klingensmith in Des Moines, Iowa. They were married on March 4, 1972, in Creston, Iowa, beginning a marriage that would span more than 54 years. Mark and Trish lived in Perry for seven years before moving to Abilene, Kansas, in 1979 to own and run a greyhound racing training farm. Mark raised multiple litters of puppies and trained many greyhounds throughout the years.
Through the greyhound industry, he made many lifelong friends from across the country. While Mark enjoyed the greyhound business, his true love was always farming. In 1990, he and Trish purchased land with a barn, and Mark returned to farming full-time. He had a cow-calf herd and farmed wheat, soybeans, and milo.
Farming was more than a job to Mark; it was something he truly loved. Some favorite memories were made during harvest, giving his grandchildren a ride with him in the combine. Mark retired from farming in 2019. He and Trish moved to town and have resided in their home since then.
Mark is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Trish; daughter Brandi McGivney (Tom) of Abilene; son Brent of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and son Derek (Regina) of Abilene. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Jr. (Arlene) of Jefferson, Iowa, and Stanley (Diane) of Shawnee, Oklahoma. He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren: Tanner (Sadie) McGivney, Calder McGivney, Makenna McGivney, Tearney McGivney, Jentree McGivney, Mylee McGivney, Creyton Berns, Brysen Berns, and Raylee Berns. He also had one great-grandchild, Rowan McGivney. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Pauline (Silbaugh) Berns Sr., and his brother, Daniel “Dan” Berns. Visitation will be held Monday, September 7, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Community Bible Church with the Reverend Lindsey Brummer officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery with Father Peter O’Donnell officiating. In lieu of flowers, you may make memorials to the Dickinson County Historical Society, c/o Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd Street, Abilene, KS 67410.