Mark Zelenka, 64, of Salina, died Dec. 7, 2025 in Great Bend, Ks while on a hunting trip. Mark was born April 23, 1961 in Great Bend, the son of John Zelenka, Jr. and the former Marie Margaret Kultgen Zelenka who both preceded him in death.
Mark graduated from Great Bend High School with the Class of 1979. During high school, Mark worked in the kitchen at Central Kansas Medical Center, where he always said he learned to cook. He enlisted in the Air Force and entered Basic Training in August of 1979. Most of his Air Force life was spent at Loring AFB Maine working as a missile systems analyst specialist. However, 4 years of the cold was enough, and he returned home to Great Bend in August 1983.
Mark moved to Salina in 1984 and went to work in 1985 for Watson Electric. He worked in the electrical trade in Salina, for Watson Electric the last 40 years. He became so close to the Watson Family and worked so many hours that we used to call him Mark Watson!
When Mark wasn’t working, he could be found at the nearest river, pond or lake. He inherited his love for the outdoors from his Dad and spent many hours hunting or fishing with him. He passed that love on to his niece Courtney and her kids, Bryce, Axton and even little Layla, with whom he spent many hours teaching to hunt and fish. He took a special interest when Bryce began shooting trap and spent countless hours throwing targets! He had 4 “brothers” who he fished and hunted with and one of them, Terry Price, was with him when he was called home for the last time.
Mark is survived by three sisters, Sue Trout (RJ), Minneapolis Ks, Jan Zeller, Mission, Tx, and Nancy Harman (Vic), Garden City, Ks. A very special niece, Courtney Merry (Jarrod), Delphos, Ks and their children Bryce Zelenka, Axton and Layla Merry. Niece Jennifer Harman, and her daughter Caitlyn Harman, Norman, Ok. A special friend, Helen McClanahan, and of course the 4 “brothers” Terry, Eddie, Bobby and Mike Price.
A visitation will be held on December 30, 2025 at Ryan Mortuary from 4pm – 8pm with the family present from 5-7pm. Please dress casually and wear those overalls if you have them!
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the “MHS Trap Team” in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th, Salina, KS 67401.
Inurnment will be in the spring and announced at a later date.
For more information or to leave condolences go to www.ryanmortuary.com