By Les Mach
Father Mark Tasler was a friend of mine long before he was ordained a priest. He was a part of our lives as my wife Sue and I were dating, and helped solidify Sue’s conversion to our Catholic faith before we got married. Before Sue joined the Church she commented, “You Catholics have a lot of fun.” Thank you, Father Tasler, for all the fun times!
As our family grew and we moved away from the Lincoln Diocese, Father would come to stay with us for a short time. He would celebrate Mass in our home and our oldest son had the privilege of serving for Father at these home Masses. Sometimes my wife and I would have concerns about something that the clergy or someone from the chancery in our diocese was promoting, and we would call Father Tasler back in our home diocese. He always gave us prudent and wise advice and guidance in the matters, which allowed us to make good decisions. 
As our kids grew, I remember asking Father Tasler for ideas that would strengthen our kids’ faith. He suggested having the kids look for cemeteries during our travels and praying a Hail Mary for those buried there. You wouldn’t believe how many cemeteries there are between Lincoln and our home in an adjoining state! This practice did keep the kids occupied, and hopefully strengthened their prayer lives. I continue this tradition today as I travel for my job.
Father Tasler also suggested that we have each family member tell their best and worst things from the day during our dinnertime. Our children have continued that tradition with their own children.
When we moved back to Nebraska, Father Tasler’s visits became more frequent and he traditionally spent Independence Day with our family. The kids loved him, and not just because he taught them how to blow up firework tanks with Black Cats. His influence helped two of our children have the courage to discern a religious vocation in the seminary and convent. Our children discerned they were called to the vocation of marriage, but Father Tasler’s influence played a big role in their discernment.
Father Tasler died in a car crash in 2010. He was very important in my life, my wife’s and all our children’s lives. And that influence is now being passed to their children. I miss Father Tasler’s great guidance, faith and his joyous sense of humor more than I can express in words.
