Mark Fanders

Mark Eugene Fanders passed away on July 13, 2025 with family by his side. He had recently celebrated his 76th birthday. Mark was born on June 29, 1949 in Beatrice, Nebraska, to Marcus W. And Helen M. Fanders.

Mark grew up in the small community of Beatrice where he spent many hours outdoors, biking and paling around with friends. He often reminisced about camping trips and vacations with his family, which spurred his lifelong love of the outdoors. Mark was an avid Boy Scout and received his Eagle Scout Award. He graduated from Beatrice High School in 1967 and went on to complete two years of college. In 1968, an unassuming carload of college boys pulled up next to a carful of high school senior girls from nearby Marysville, Kansas.

When Mark laid eyes on the blonde driver, Mary, and she looked at him, their fate was sealed. Mark and Mary were married on September 6, 1969 and spent over 55 adventure-filled years together as husband and wife. The early years of their marriage were spent in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Mark was half owner in a masonry company. Busy years followed raising three children and Mary's completion of nursing school.

In 1987, to the surprise of many, Mark and Mary sold their Lincoln home and began a westward adventure headed to Oregon, a longtime favorite vacation spot. After enjoying two years in Roseburg, they settled in Newberg, Oregon, where Mark & Mary built a new home.

Mark joined Bricklayers Local Union #1, Portland, and he took pride in being a foreman on many large beautiful Portland building projects.

Those years were also some of Mark's most enjoyable, as he was able to explore Oregon and truly embrace his love of the outdoors. He spent hours fishing, hunting, trapping, 4-wheeling, reloading and sport shooting. He also spent quality time with family on camping trips and looked forward to annual hunting trips, cultivating many lifelong friendships.

Mark immensely enjoyed Mary's home cooking, and also loved discovering the best local cuisine; seafood was a definite favorite. He retired from masonry work in 2013, though completed occasional custom brickwork projects in his retirement years. Mark was well known for his custom leatherwork and kept busy with special orders from family and friends.

He enjoyed spending time with his 9 grandchildren, and took pride in sharing his breadth of knowledge with them as time allowed.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Marcus and Helen Fanders and sister, Marcia. Mark is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Mary; daughter, Melissa Lemen (Dennis) of Newberg; son, Jeremy (Seynab) of Sherwood; daughter, Holly Stram (Jared) of St. Helens; and 9 grandchildren: Mariah, Morgan, Mason, Hayden, Evan, Ivy, Rowan, Amelia and Noah. He is also survived by his brother, Joel (Gail) Fanders of Lincoln, Nebraska, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Friday, July 25, 2025 at Northwest Christian Church in Newberg, Oregon at 11:00 a.m.