To all of our friends – some of whom I have never even met… I just want to make sure and share a few items of business…

Here is the link to Mark’s obituary. https://walkermemorials.com/obituary/mark-morris-andrus/ Just today his memorial video was uploaded if you would like to watch it. I have asked you to weep, now I ask you to smile as you watch his life evolve through photos and videos. His love for his family shines through!

Mark’s funeral will be held on Saturday, 13 July at 11:00. There will be time for visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 as well as a viewing on Friday night at the Walker Mortuary in Payson, UT from 6:00-8:00. We would love to see all who are able to come pay their respects at either or both of these times. Following the funeral services we will be driving to Spring City for a graveside service. All are welcome, but just know that the drive is an hour both directions.

Following this we will return to Genola for a family dinner. All family members and out of town guests are invited to join us. I know this makes for a long day – but we wanted to eat last and thus be able to sit and visit without rushing away. If you have not yet RSVP’d to a member of the family (for dinner), please do so because our friends who are preparing the meal will need a headcount.

If you have read Mark’s obituary you will know that we proposed that in lieu of flowers that you enjoy a really good piece of pie, take you spouse on a date or write the family a note with memories of Mark. We have already heard of Nathan’s entire squadron having a pie party and others are anxious to eat pie and go on a date. We thought this would be a great way to remember and celebrate Mark. I am sure he is happy about this!!

Mark may be passionate about pie, but I am passionate about flowers. With that in mind I have an idea I want to share.

Y’all know Mark and I are right in the middle of building a new home. I was able to visit the construction site last night with just a few tears now and then. My first time back felt devastating but I am working to see the house as a symbol of our love and our dreams. Anyway… Mark and I have both looked forward to having a nice flagpole in our front yard. I bought him a cheap one a year or two ago as a promise that we would replace it with a better flagpole as soon as we completed our home. (It was really cheap and we didn’t like it at all.) I had hoped to purchase it as a Christmas gift for him this year.

Here is what I am thinking – and it is a bit awkward for me… but so many people want to do something tangible for Mark and for our family – then we went and said that you shouldn’t worry about flowers. To me the flagpole in the front yard has now become a memorial to Mark. I am thinking we could put a memorial marker at its base and place beside it benches and flowers as a place to reflect on the love of/for our wonderful husband and father. Particularly since his resting place will be an hour’s drive from our home. This would be something of which we could accept contributions if you would like to be a part. I’m not sure how that would work – I’m kind of making this up as I go… maybe contact a family member for a Venmo account… I don’t know (I told you it is awkward for me).

I may be passionate about flowers, but I am more passionate about remembering Mark Andrus.

While we are on the subject of flags – over twenty years ago Mark began to sketch out a family crest and I will share what he came up with. Each line/shape represents something to Mark. My talented brother-in-law Ryan helped me clean up the sketch lines and I had flags made as a Christmas gift. As the children grow up and leave home they each receive their own flag. In Washington we flew our family flag along with our American flag. Several years ago Greg designed collector coins (like the military) to share and recently Mark gave us all a water bottle with the crest.

Another legacy Mark has left to his family.