John Marcus “Mark” Stepan, 70
Mark passed away peacefully on October 3, 2019 after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Mark was born in Whitehall, Montana on September 10th, 1949. The younger, of two sons, born to Martin and Annie Stepan. The family moved to Butte in 1956, where Mark attended school graduating from Butte High School, living in Butte for the remainder of his life
In 1969 Mark met the love of his life Janina, he knew on the second date he would marry her. They were married on April 4th, 1970 and enjoyed 49 years together. They had two children, Richard “Bummer” and Sherri.
Mark loved the outdoors hunting, fishing, camping, boating and four wheeling. He was always happiest when he was able to be in the mountains. One of Mark’s fondest memories was his fishing trip to Alaska with Bummer and Sherri. He especially enjoyed spending time enjoying the outdoors with his children and grandchildren. Though sometimes he was annoyed, Mark spent more time than he really wanted too driving his daughter and friends around town and never once complained. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and uncle thoroughly enjoying spending time with family and friends. He had a wry sense of humor and especially enjoyed telling hunting tales.
A master mechanic all his life, he passed the knowledge he learned from his father, down to his son Bummer. Mark and Bummer enjoyed hot rods, spending many hours working on cars and traveling to car shows. He was a member of the Copper City Gear Jammers Car Club.
Mark ran his own auto shop from 1970 to 1973, then began working for Kunkel Pontiac, and then Lyons Motors/Ed’s Auto Plaza until his retirement in 1999. He spent his retirement years hunting, fishing and spending time with his beloved grandchildren. Mark loved animals and is sadly missed by his cat “Stubby”.
He is survived by his wife Janina of Butte, his son Bummer (Rachel Anderson-Stepan) of Butte, his daughter Sherri (Jon Ayres) of Bozeman, grandchildren Skyllar Stepan of Butte, Hunter Anderson-Stepan of Butte and great grandson Braxton Stepan-Doyle of Butte. Surviving him also, are his half-sister Marcia (Bill Zankowski) of Belgrade, brother Michael (Norma Stepan) of Superior ,brother-in-law Richard (Norma Pylypuw) of Butte, and nephews Kenny Young of Billings, Raymond Young of Billings, Dennis (Laura Young) of Butte and Mikey (Ruth Stepan) of Monroe, WA and niece Michelle Clark of Bozeman. Plus, numerous cousins, great nephews and nieces.
Mark was preceded in death by father, Martin Stepan, mother, Annie Stepan, half-brother Bill Stepan, niece Angela Stepan and nephew Keith Young.
We would like to thank the staff of Frontier Hospice and A Plus Health Care for their compassion and care of Mark.
Visitation will be held 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., October 11, at Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services, 2009 Harrison Ave. Family and friends are invited to A Celebration of Life for Mark on Saturday, October 12, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Caledonia St & N Western Ave.
Memorials may be made in Mark’s memory to Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Please offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Mark. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Mark and his family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services
2009 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Saturday October 12, 2019
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Caledonia St & N Western Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2019
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services
2009 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Saturday October 12, 2019
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Caledonia St & N Western Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
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Jean Ayres says
My deepest condolences to the family. May the lord comfort you and hold you close.
Jean Ayres and family
Les Anderson says
My deepest sympathies to the Stepan family and the Elk hunting memories I had with the family.
Dave Dunmire says
It is sad to lose my buddy of 60 years. I went to grade school with Marcus. He was my next door neighbor for 34 years and I couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor than Marcus. He was always there when I needed him. He showed me neat places in the mountains that I never would have found on my own. We had many conversations over the backyard fence. I loved his dry sense of humor. He used to say to me all the time, “Dunmire, you’re ugly.” And I used to say back to him, “You’re uglier than me.” I can truly say he was the best friend I ever had.
I hope to see you in Heaven, Marcus. We can walk all over God’s mountains and talk over the fence for all eternity. I will miss you greatly.
Your friend,
Dave Dunmire