Mark Stringham

Mark W. Stringham

Mark W. Stringham, beloved by his family, passed away peacefully in his sleep, Friday, September 18, 2015. Born March 4, 1915 to Phillip Crouch Stringham and Ella Jane Wimmer in Vernal, UT, he is the oldest son and the 3rd of their ten children.

Mark was blessed with excellent health and a remarkable memory. He was often told, “Mark, you are amazing!” As he celebrated his 100th birthday this year, the title of centenarian was added to these amazing gifts. With a twinkle in his eye he assured us he had not aspired to the latter honor. He patiently and lovingly cared for his wife and eternal companion through her many years of health challenges. After she passed away May 29, 2015 at the age of 97 he felt his work was now completed, and was eager to be reunited with his dearest companion. He is (present tense intended) so grateful for the plan of salvation that enables that joyous reunion!

Mark served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1935-1937 in the Eastern States Mission and again with his wife, Ruth, from 1979-1981 in the Guatemala City, Guatemala Mission.”

March 1, 1942 he enlisted in the Navy to serve his country in WWII. He was in the service for “3 years 7 months and 25 days” and served as a radioman.  He was grateful for the GI Bill which provided the opportunity for an education.  In 1961 at the age of 46 he received his Master's Degree.

On March 7, 1942, in the same week that he enlisted, he proposed to Ruth Robins. He recalls, "Ruth accepted both my marriage proposal and the ring and we were officially engaged to be married...sometime." That "sometime" finally occurred February 18, 1943 in New York City while Mark was on leave. His sweetheart rode the train 4 days to marry him; they spent 10 wonderful days together and then she rode the train 4 days back to Utah. His duty resumed and his destroyer sailed for Casa Blanca, Morocco where enroute they ran into German submarines which sank three ships in their 40 ship convoy. The Lord watched over them while they were apart and a year later their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Over the course of their marriage they became the ultimate team! They worked together as a unit to rear their family– not this is your job and that is mine.

They spent twenty-one years in Lodi, CA where they raised their four children. Both taught school there. Mark primarily taught high school. They decided upon teaching because they could be home with their children during the summers. Growing up people would ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up – a teacher? In an excerpt from his history he wrote: “Teachers in my mind were low on the totem pole. WHO would want to be a teacher? They were always about starving because of low salaries and incomes.” Later he added the rest of the story, “Of all things I became a teacher and taught for about 25 years and my wife Ruth for about 29 years. Today as retired California teachers with combined retirement salaries we live very comfortably and have been able to help our children financially.”

Our father, Mark W. Stringham, did not become famous in the world yet his life was a significant contribution to the world. He channeled his heart and efforts into what he considers the greatest of all work - raising and teaching his family, fulfilling and embracing his far reaching responsibilities as patriarch of his family, and serving in the Lord’s kingdom.

He taught his children honesty and integrity by example.  He showed us that a handshake means more than any written contract.  He raised his children to understand that one’s word is a binding commitment. He taught us that character is the essence of a person. He believed that actions speak more than volumes written on the topic. Growing up we saw a side of him that was not initially apparent to everyone else. For example one real estate commission that he earned on the sale of an old house was spent to fix it up for the buyers – an older couple with little means.

Whether we lived in the city or in the country, he always had his flowers and his “farm”.  He taught his children the value of work.  The culmination of hard work could be exemplified by someone eating apricots in the tree at harvest time.  He was not afraid to make bread when there was no one around to make it for him. He loved music and especially the piano which he played mostly by ear. He encouraged his children and grandchildren alike to pursue some musical education.

Our father is the most important man in our lives and for us stands taller than any other in his achievements of true and lasting worth. Most important and lasting is how he taught his family to seek and love the Lord. He never wavered in his dedication to the Gospel.  His children continue to strive to live what he taught them. The Lord can say to him, “Well done, enter into my rest.”

He is survived by sons, Gregory M. (Merrily) Stringham, Cheyenne, WY; Kent R. (Teri) Stringham, Clovis, CA; daughters, Melanie Peine, Pleasant Grove; LaNae S. (Gary) Morrill, Orem; 24 grandchildren,  64 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild,  3 step-grandchildren and sister, Louise Atwood, Kent, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth Robins, sisters, Rowena, Ethel, Lucille, Beulah, Barta, brothers Ralph Phillip, Phil Bryant, Thad, and son-in-law Robert K. Peine.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 11 am at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main Street, Kaysville. Friends may visit family Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 at the mortuary.  Interment and military honors Kaysville City Cemetery.

The family expresses their gratitude and appreciation to the staff at The Seville Retirement Center in Orem and Elevation Hospice for their kind and loving care.

In lieu of flowers please contribute generously to the General Missionary Fund or the Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.