Mark Eldon Andersen

MARK ELDON ANDERSEN 1918 - 2005 87, of Provo, Utah, passed away peacefully from causes incident to age on November 29, 2005, at home with close family and friends by his side. He was born May 23, 1918, in Emery, Utah to Arthur William Andersen and Lulu Stafford Snow, and lived in Emery until he was almost nine when his mother died. He graduated from Granite High School in Salt Lake City, and from the University of Washington with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served as a submarine officer during World War II. He married Joyce Elaine Steed July 23, 1946 in the St. George Temple. Mark pursued a career as a sales engineer for the Fafnir Ball Bearing Company. Beginning early in adulthood and continuing until age and illness took their toll, Mark's life was dedicated to his family and to service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as the bishop of the Monrovia Ward in Southern California and of the Bellevue Ward in the Seattle area. Later he served as first counselor and then as president in the Pleasanton Stake in Northern California. Mark and Joyce served a mission for the Church in Independence, Missouri. Upon their return, Mark was called as stake patriarch, and also served as a sealer in the Oakland Temple. Mark was a gentleman, possessed of absolute integrity, good natured humor and kindness to all. He loved hiking in the High Sierras of California with his children. He also excelled in ballroom dancing, gardening, and in designing and building creative and practical solutions for everyday use. He is survived by Joyce, his loving wife of 59 years, and by six children: Steven (Kathryn), Eric (Catherine), Bradley (Kathleen), David (Mary Ann), Lisa (Dan Thomas) and Roger (Shauna). Another son (Jeffrey) died in infancy. He is also survived by 10 siblings, by 24 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Friday, December 2, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of the Grandview 9th Ward, 1555 N. 1350 W., Provo, Utah. Arrangements by Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, Utah 84057.