Obituary for Mark Lyn Fikstad
Mark Lyn Fikstad died at home, January 12, 2022, in Buhl, Idaho from a Pulmonary Embolism, at age 51.
Mark was born on a cold and snowy night, on December 15th, 1970. As a child, he attended schools in Burley, Elko, & Twin Falls. He also graduated from Jay’s Jewelry School of Portland, Oregon, in 1994. Earning his official title as a Goldsmith.
Mark worked for Jensen Jewelers for over a decade, creating many new works of art for the company. He also ran his own jewelry and antique shop in Buhl, Idaho, until his health complicated running his own business. He was also a very knowledgeable scavenger of all things oil cans, old signage, license plates, and old gas pumps. History, antiques, and art were Mark’s strong suits. He had a passion for architecture, especially the Frank Lloyd Wright homes of the 1950’s.
As a young boy, he also worked for Wuthrich’s Greenhouse, where his love of gardening and plants first started. He loved to draw, paint, and also created ceramics with his mom as a young child.
You could often find Mark at an estate sale or combing the desert for old and forgotten items of the past. He spent time in the Hagerman Valley and dreamed of building his dream home there someday. He loved living in Buhl with his dogs, going into town to visit with Nancy or Claudia at the local antique shops, or chatting with everyone at Don’s Market. Mark had many friends everywhere he went, and kept many childhood friends close all of his life. Especially his best friend, Teri Hine-Manzanares. Although Mark never married, he spent almost a decade with the love of his life, Karen Eisen.
He also loved to cook and entertain people, making events special with his famous burgers! He was a terrific host and made sure the people around him were comfortable and well fed. His nephew, Wyatt couldn’t wait to sink his teeth into a burger made by Mark.
And Mark was also very helpful to his parents, fixing things around the house and helping them operate their phones and technology, among other things. He and dad would go to the Bonneville Salt Flat races every summer, and it became an annual father-son tradition.
Mark is survived by his parents, Norlyn “Mike” and Rebecca “Becky” Fikstad, his sister Julie Collette (Joe), one niece, Hannah Donerkiel (Ben), and one nephew, Wyatt Cunningham (Jordyn), and one great nephew, Kevin Cunningham, one Uncle, James Wardle (Denny), and two Aunts; Marie Fikstad and Susan Kinney, plus several cousins. And his beloved black lab, “Shadow”.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Michael Fikstad and one niece, Janessa Horner. Along with several other grandparents, aunts, uncles, and extended family members over the years. He also lost his first beloved furchild, Sturgis (“Sturgi”).
Family and friends are encouraged to come to Idaho Pizza in Twin Falls, to eat and share memories of Mark from 3:30-5:30 p.m., following the funeral services.
Mark was born on a cold and snowy night, on December 15th, 1970. As a child, he attended schools in Burley, Elko, & Twin Falls. He also graduated from Jay’s Jewelry School of Portland, Oregon, in 1994. Earning his official title as a Goldsmith.
Mark worked for Jensen Jewelers for over a decade, creating many new works of art for the company. He also ran his own jewelry and antique shop in Buhl, Idaho, until his health complicated running his own business. He was also a very knowledgeable scavenger of all things oil cans, old signage, license plates, and old gas pumps. History, antiques, and art were Mark’s strong suits. He had a passion for architecture, especially the Frank Lloyd Wright homes of the 1950’s.
As a young boy, he also worked for Wuthrich’s Greenhouse, where his love of gardening and plants first started. He loved to draw, paint, and also created ceramics with his mom as a young child.
You could often find Mark at an estate sale or combing the desert for old and forgotten items of the past. He spent time in the Hagerman Valley and dreamed of building his dream home there someday. He loved living in Buhl with his dogs, going into town to visit with Nancy or Claudia at the local antique shops, or chatting with everyone at Don’s Market. Mark had many friends everywhere he went, and kept many childhood friends close all of his life. Especially his best friend, Teri Hine-Manzanares. Although Mark never married, he spent almost a decade with the love of his life, Karen Eisen.
He also loved to cook and entertain people, making events special with his famous burgers! He was a terrific host and made sure the people around him were comfortable and well fed. His nephew, Wyatt couldn’t wait to sink his teeth into a burger made by Mark.
And Mark was also very helpful to his parents, fixing things around the house and helping them operate their phones and technology, among other things. He and dad would go to the Bonneville Salt Flat races every summer, and it became an annual father-son tradition.
Mark is survived by his parents, Norlyn “Mike” and Rebecca “Becky” Fikstad, his sister Julie Collette (Joe), one niece, Hannah Donerkiel (Ben), and one nephew, Wyatt Cunningham (Jordyn), and one great nephew, Kevin Cunningham, one Uncle, James Wardle (Denny), and two Aunts; Marie Fikstad and Susan Kinney, plus several cousins. And his beloved black lab, “Shadow”.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Michael Fikstad and one niece, Janessa Horner. Along with several other grandparents, aunts, uncles, and extended family members over the years. He also lost his first beloved furchild, Sturgis (“Sturgi”).
Family and friends are encouraged to come to Idaho Pizza in Twin Falls, to eat and share memories of Mark from 3:30-5:30 p.m., following the funeral services.