Mark Hammerschmidt

Mark Joseph Hammerschmidt, 23, accepted an urgent call from heaven on Dec. 29, 2016. He had recently returned to his home in Englewood, Colo., from a surprise visit to his family in Bismarck for the Christmas weekend. Celebration of Mark's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, with Monsignor Jim Braaten officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.

Family will be receiving friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bismarck Funeral Home with a rosary/prayer service at 7 p.m.

Mark was born Jan. 14, 1993, in Fargo, to the joy of Michael and Nancy (Nelson) Hammerschmidt. From the time that he was a baby, he was always on the go, and ready to meet and spend as much time as possible with others. He was truly a lighthearted and lively spirit, skateboarding through his youth and snowboarding and playing hockey throughout his life. The only things Mark was a stranger to were five-year-plans, speed limits and the mundane. He adopted two dogs, Snooks and Roxy, which were his pride and joy. His days in Colorado were spent in class while he attended EcoTech Institute, hitting the slopes, or just hanging out with friends.

One of Mark's most prominent characteristics was that he loved deeply, unconditionally and permanently. He was truly at peace when he was spending time with others, and he spent his life collecting a menagerie of wonderful friends and memories that were so very precious to him.

Mark left us too soon, but he left us with a new understanding of what it means to love and be loved. Although it may not seem so right now, he provided us with as many memories as possible to hold on to while we make our way through this life in this ever-revolving world, eager to see his face, hear his voice, delight in his laugh once again.

Mark is survived by his parents, Michael and Nancy Hammerschmidt; his sister, Miranda Hammerschmidt; his brother, Matthew Hammerschmidt; his sister, Aneta and Ricky Stewart; a niece, Kendall Stewart; biological father, Jack and Jennifer Gates; half-brothers and half-sisters, Joshua Gates, Jacob Gates, Noah Gates and Eliana Gates; biological grandparents, Elliot and Susan Gates; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe and Mary Hammerschmidt and Ray and Marian Nelson; and John Hammerschmidt (infant uncle).

Go to www.bismarckfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book or to share memories with the family.