Mark Mason
October 3, 1950 ~ July 29, 2020
Mark D. Mason, Fargo, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at his home due to complications of heart disease.
Mark was born October 3, 1950 in Minneapolis, MN to John and Dru (Mark) Mason. He attended school at Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary in Detroit Lakes before graduating from Detroit Lakes High School in 1968. Of growing up in Detroit Lakes, he would always say that it was an “idyllic” place for a childhood.
He still has many lifelong friends from DL that he regularly spent time with up to his passing. After graduation, he attended college at Moorhead State College and the University of Minnesota in Duluth. In college he again made lasting friendships that remain to this day. This was also where he earned his nickname, “Goofy,” because his friends thought his hearty chuckle reminded them of the Disney cartoon character. The name stuck with him, as did that endearing and memorable laugh. Mark then lived in Colorado and Arizona for a short time before settling in Fargo. He married DeAnne Mosey and her daughter Robyn on December 12, 1976 in Fargo, ND. He always said DeAnne was the “girl of his dreams.”
Mark was a silversmith and owned his own jewelry store, Hi Ho Silver, in the 1970’s. He continued to lovingly handcraft silver jewelry for friends and family throughout his life. He then worked for BNSF Railroad for five years. It was during this time that he found his interest in Real Estate, becoming a Real Estate Agent in 1986. He became known as the “Blue Jean Realtor,” a casual guy that related well to all of his clients and made them feel at ease. In 2005, DeAnne joined him as a Real Estate Agent and they worked side by side for the next 15 years. He loved working alongside DeAnne (she is the detail person!) and he never considered retiring because it didn’t seem like “work” to him. He enjoyed exploring and finding the right properties for his customers, especially in the lakes area where he grew up.
He was a member of the Fargo Moorhead Area Association of Realtors and Lakes Country Association of Realtors for over 30 years. He and DeAnne dedicated many hours of service to organizations related to homelessness and those less fortunate. He was generous in his contributions of time and talent.
Mark loved the game of golf and spent many hours on the courses in Fargo, the MN lakes area, Scottsdale, and Palm Springs. He enjoyed countless golf games with his parents, sisters and brother, and many friends and colleagues over the years.
His “happy place” was MN lake country. He and his family enjoyed owning and making memories at lake cabins on Sybil, West MacDonald, and Big MacDonald lakes in central MN.
Mark will be remembered as a jovial, honest, kind, and easy going man. He had a strong faith in God and was never afraid of dying as he was absolutely certain where his faith would lead him. He set an example of integrity and a “happy go lucky” attitude for all who knew him. We are certain he is in heaven, getting his 2nd hole-in-one...and many more.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, DeAnne, Fargo, ND; children, Robyn (Al Kraft) Krause, Fargo, ND, John (Rachel) Mason, Savage, MN; 5 grandchildren, Julia and Maya Krause, Riley Meester, Brendon and Grace Mason; brother, Jay (Debbie) Mason, Orlando, FL; sisters, Pam Swanstrom, Cary, NC, Sandy (Jim) Buckley, North Mankato, MN; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In honor of the “Blue Jean Realtor,” please feel free to wear jeans to either service.
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so sorry to hear about Mark our realtor. What a shock and hope every thing will take time. Take care and know you are in our prayers. Jan and Ken Baker
My prayers and condolences. Mark was one of the great ones and a one of kind! He sold me my first two homes and my third home! Great memories amazing man, he will be missed by many.
Omg Deanne and family I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mark! This is a loss for everyone, my you feel
Comfort in the loving arms of our Lord, you and the family are I’m my thoughts and prayer
Barb kjono
I will miss Mark, I first met him many years ago, I believe it was 1974. We were both working at Herbst Dept store. Our paths crossed many times in the ensuing years. He will be missed.
Mark sold me and my kids my first house 18 years ago. I was a single mom. He was so very patient and very honest. He went above the call of duty. He made a very large impact and someone I will never forget.
May God wrap His loving arms around you and your family. Wonderful husband, dad and grandpa. Jewelry maker; home seller; friend to all. God gained a stellar angel. Peace, love prayers.
So sorry to hear of Marks passing. Prayers to you, Deanne, and your family.
We cannot express how sorry we are that Mark is no longer with us. Will always remember him with a smile on our faces
I was so sorry DeAnne , to hear that Mark passed away. He sold me my townhouse in Fargo in 1990. When I saw it didn’t have a garbage disposal, he offered to find one and install it for me. That’s the kind of guy he was. I just felt like we would always be friends. Down the road, he helped my mother buy her condo. Then about 5 years ago, he helped my daughter, Sara, buy her townhouse. He was always so helpful and kind, and funny. He was the perfect guy for selling real estate. I am sure he will be missed by many. I hope I never have to buy or sell a home again, as I would no longer know who to turn to. Rest in Peace Mark! You will never be forgotten!
DeAnne & Family, so sorry for your loss. Mark was a fun friend. Met him at Hi Ho Silver. He was a talented silver smith.
He was like a friendly tornado when he entered a room! He fit right in with the whole beautiful Mason family and cousins! He will never be forgotten!
My thoughts & prayers are with you. Mark & you were always a pleasure to work with. He was way to young to leave us. Thinking of you.
My deepest sympathy to you DeAnne
Mark was always well liked. I will remember his big smile and genuine interest in people. He was always surrounded by a variety of friends and you are right about his laugh. So glad I got to see him at our reunion….Nellie Northup Mattis.
DeAnne, Robyn and John,
I was so sorry to read of Mark’s death. I am sure it is difficult for all of you. I always enjoyed your family. Mark helped me a few times with some extra work as a single mom. It was appreciated. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mark was a special person he will be missed
I am so sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. He was truly a pleasure to work with such a wonderful representation of the Real Estate industry. He was one of the best and will be greatly missed by myself and many fellow Realtors.
DeAnne, Robyn and family :
Mark was awesome. He just was! Within minutes of meeting him you felt like you’d known him for years. So very sorry to hear of his passing. Love, hugs, peace and prayers to you all!!
Jennifer Lindemann
Goofy!! Golfer, poker player, Funster, I will miss you!! We had some very special times at Crooked Lake!! I know you are already enjoying the Spirit World!! Peace to you Goofy!! Dan M
To Mark’s family, We are so sorry to hear of Mark’s passing! Too soon for sure and will always remember his kind and warm hearted ways. Deann we will keep you in our prayers that you move forward with God’s grace ! Hang on to all the great memories you made together.
I recall well the HiHo Silver days. Met Mark when we both worked on the carnival and knew him as a guy with a sense of purpose and fun! I am saddened to hear of his passing and know he will be greatly missed by many!
Mark was such a wonderful man. You could hear his smile when he called. Many times he called my phone asking for Amber and I always loved being the operator for them. I will forever miss taking those calls. RIP Mark.
We are so sorry and shocked by the news of Mark’s passing. He was such a blessing to so many. It was such a treat to visit with him because he always had a smile and a laugh ready for us. What a huge lost to the community. DeAnne we know that he will be looking after you from his heavenly home. God bless you and your family during this time and we pray that you have the strength to endure this loss.
DeAnne,sorry to read about Mark’s passing.My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. God Bless all of you.
I went ito school wirh Mark from 1st grade on through high school. He was a great guy. Everyone liked him.He was the type iof person you would aee in a crowd and want to meet. I send my deepest sympathy and prayers to his family. May God bless you and bring you peace.
Mark (Goofy) and I were freshman roommates at UMD starting in 1972. That’s where he got his nick name Goofy because of his infectious chuckle. And he made me chuckle every single time I was with him. He was a dear friend who will be deeply missed. Adios Amigo.
So sorry to hear about Mark.
Lee and I enjoyed visiting with him about golfing and Palm Springs.
Prayers to you, DeAnne, and your family may you find comfort knowing Mark is with our Lord.
Lee and Mari Kvam
DeAnne and family, my prayers are with you at this difficult time.
DeAnne, Robyn and John – it has been my pleasure to know and work with each of you – and Mark – after I moved to Fargo in 1999.
Mark was a real tease and kept us on our toes, in our office. We always enjoyed talking with him.
May the memories you share be a comfort along with the love and support you feel in the communities that love you.
We are so very sorry for your loss and sending sympathy and condolences to all the family.
DeAnne and Family: My deepest sympathy to you all. Mark was one in a million. We could always count on him coming into the bank of Friday’s for Popcorn Friday’s. He would give us grief if we put his cash in an envelope and always had a smart remark to make us all laugh. His contagious smile and laugh brighten everyone’s day. He will be missed more that imaginable. Life was in his eyes and spirit. He walked the talk. He shall live on forever in many hearts and minds. God’s Peace, Grace and Mercies be with you all thru these trying times. God’s Blessings to you all.
Our families go back a long ways and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I enjoyed working with Mark and Deanne on the few deals we did together and sitting in his office shooting the bull. I will miss wit and humor.
Was so sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Mark was a former classmate at Holy Rosary and DLHS. He was a great guy -friendly, kind and warm hearted. My deepest sympathy to family and friends.
We send our condolences to Deanne and family. We were next door neighbors to Mark and DeAnne for several years. Mark always approached life with a smile and by reading these comments he had many friends. Bless his life and cherish the memories that you have with him. May they provide peace and strength to you all.
Tons of great Mark memories!! What a gift to all of us!! See U up on the heavenly course sometime!! (“Bet a buck Doc”)
DeAnne – I am still in disbelief. Gone from us all way too soon. I will never forget the impact Mark had on my life and the real estate industry. The two of you were “two peas in a pod”. The loss will be felt for along time in the community and in your heart but know that he is at peace and watching over you always. You will be together again one day and he will welcome you We will stay in touch soon.
Working with Mark was always a pleasure, his laid back personality always kept the mood light at the office. Every now and then I would call him by accident while intending to call my brother Mark! He’d say “selling something or wrong number?”
You will be missed, rest in peace Mark.
Robyn, I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I’m thinking of you. 💕
Kara
Mark’s obituary was so well written. I was most happy to read he loved the Lord.
I was so shocked to here of Mark’s passing. I will never forget the wedding we attended with DeAnne and Mark. Old church with wooden pews. Well Mark had to toot, and we all know his laugh, it was so hard to hold back the more we laughed the more he tooted. We will never forget how much fun we had together. Rest in peace Mark, you will be missed. Also prayers to you DeAnne and Johnny and Robyn.
Dear DeAnne, Our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of Mark. We are holding you up in our prayers. May God give you strength and peace at this time.
To the Mason Family:
Was sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. We did not know him well, but he’s Riley’s Grandpa so it’s important to let you know we send Love and Hugs. We are Riley’s Great – Gandparents in Finley
DeAnne, so shocked and sorry to hear of Mark passing. Memories of back in the days at Century 21 and Encore lots of great times! I pulled out the album of the trip to Cancun. Great memories! Wanted to post the picture of the gang at Isla Mujeres on motor scooters but do not see a way of doing that. My thoughts and prayers always.
I’m so sorry for your loss I’m so glad we got to see you and mark again and thank you for helping my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
DeAnne & family…..Free bird spread your wings and fly…..no more suffering -no more pain,,,,our prayers are with you at thIs difficult time DeAnne.We’ll never forget what a wonderful guy Mark was!! P & J
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Thoughts and prayers to Mark’s family. He was a great man. Honest. Friend. We would cross paths occasionally and it was always a joy.
DeAnne & Family-
We were so sad and shocked to hear of Mark’s passing. We are all diminished by his loss. Sincere condolences to your family.
Rick & Pat Anderson
Mark will be sorely missed at the FM REALTORS Association. We always knew when he was in the office as he got us all laughing. He was a very special person that contributed much to his association and his industry throughout the years. A donation to the Salvation Army has been made in Mark’s name on behalf of the Association. Our deepest condolences to DeAnne and family.
Holding all of you in my thoughts and prayers! RIP Mark!
DeAnn,
You were the best neighbors ever. We always appreciated Mark’s humor and honesty. We were saddened when you moved, but even more saddened to learn of his passing. May God bless you.
Love, Bryan and Darla Wendland.
so sorry for your loss it was a great ride.. it you need anything you know I am here for you ..love you
So sad to hear about Mark’s passing. He was an awesome man. Heaven has definitely received an amazing ANGEL
Michele D Forsman. West Fargo, ND
I was shocked to hear of Mark’s passing. My deepest sympathy to you DeAnne and family.
I am embracing you in prayer, knowing your precious Mark is in the arms of Jesus.
God blessing to all of you.
Deanne, so so sad about Mark’s passing. He was a great guy and husband. I know you lost your best friend and it will be hard. Hang onto the memories and know you will be together again
Will not be fun my heart goes out to you! So sorry you and your family have to deal with pain. Jo
Deepest condolences from the Bianco family. Mark was a wonderful friend to us and we are grateful for his extended help in all questions about real estate in Fargo. Rest well, Mark and say “hi” to your cool parents for us, too.
So very saddened to hear about Mark thinking of you Love and Prayers
DeAnne, we are stunned and saddened by Mark’s death. It is hard to imagine one of you without the other. Prayers.
My mother, Doris Baker would stay at the Mason home when their parents travelled. I have many fond memories of Mark. One that has always stayed with me is his dislike for the corner piece on a sheet cake…the corners were always lacking in frosting! To this day, if frosting a sheet cake, I think of Mark and give the corners more frosting. My sincere sympathy goes out to Mark and his family. The world lost a good man.
I was saddened to read of Mark’s passing. I remember all of the times Patrick spent with John, especially the fishing trips. He had many great times with the Masons. Your family is in my thoughts.
Kathy Dixon
Sorry to hear about Mark. He was a funny loving guy. Charlie will miss their golf outings. Our sympathy DeAnne!!!