OBITUARY
Mark Douglas Buettner
November 21, 1948 – August 7, 2020
Mark Douglas Buettner was born on November 21, 1948 and passed away on August 7, 2020 and is under the care of Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home.
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Memories
Mark Douglas Buettner
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ADD A MEMORYTom Tanner
October 14, 2020
I knew Mark from the COGS bike club. He was a wonderful, cheery and positive contribution to any ride he joined. He is greatly missed by all his biking friends who had the great pleasure to share life with him.
God speed Mark and keep on riding!!
Tom
Jim Metzger
October 14, 2020
I just recently found out about Mark's passing. So Sad.
Great guy, great smile and loved his laugh. Mark and I lost track of one another due to employer changes. Mark and I worked together in construction on many projects. I always felt honored to have Mark on my team. Very wise and a great problem solver. Memories of the two of us sitting on a dock on Lake Washington during lunch break talking about life. He had great stories about Alaska. I will miss him dearly. My thoughts goes out to his family. Safe travels wherever you are my friend. Love Jim
Jim Olney
September 14, 2020
I'm saddened to hear of Marks's sudden passing. Our life intersected in numerous ways as Phinney Ridge neighbors, fellow woodworkers, former Alaskans, daughters in the NW Girl Choir and more. Mark gave my wife and me an introduction to curling. It's harder than it looks! He was proud to show off some of his smaller projects.
We are in the midst of renovating a 134-year-old Victorian house in Port Townsend and I've recently thought of inviting Mark over. His advice and encouragement would have been appreciated.
My condolences to all the Buettners for their loss.
Mary Varnum
September 7, 2020
I was just thinking of Mark, with his friendly smile and the twinkle in his eye. He was everyone’s friend. And so helpful. One had only to ask. He helped me move, not once but twice. We will all miss him so much when contra dancing is able to start up again. It’s so sad.
Robert Arima
September 2, 2020
I remember Mark as always smiling, a wonderful conversationalist, and a welcome fellow cyclist. I'm sure that where he is now, the cycling weather will always be blue skies, a tailwind, and beautiful scenery. Godspeed Mark.
Melva and Hilton Ward
August 27, 2020
Dear Mark, you brightened up our lives from the day we met you in Happy Harbour SE Alaska June 1999. Then in Seattle that same year you had us stay and we found we liked the same music and you introduced us to Wallace and Grommet. What a ray of sunshine you were. Now you will just have to be with us in spirit when the new Spindrift sets sail on our New Zealand coast, we will always admire the rudder. Condolences and love to your beautiful family. You will be missed for as long as we are alive.
Faithe Michael Schmits
August 27, 2020
My husband, Jeff Schmits, and I went to high school with Mark, and we are very sad that his journey here on earth has ended. He was such a special person. I have never forgotten how much I enjoyed his company. We had many philosophical conversations about life. We were two young teenagers trying to figure out life. We also shared a lot of laughs because he had a great sense of humor, and I admired his wonderful intellectual mind. My entire family was blessed several times when Mark showed up at our house to play classical music for us on his guitar. I regret that we did not stay in touch after high school. The last time we saw him was at a high school reunion many years ago. Rest in Peace, dear Mark. I'm grateful for the time we spent together.
David Collins
August 27, 2020
I met Mark during a Dancing Fool weekend. He was gracious enough to host me that year and other times. Often he would host several people during the same weekend. We'd all carpool back-n-forth together, and frequently have a late night potluck back at his place after a whole Saturday of dancing.
Sometimes when I was passing through, or visiting Seattle, Mark and I would meet for lunch, a walk in the park, or just hang out and chat.
I always looked forward to connecting with Mark when my travels took me to his neck of the woods, but so often he would be traveling to another dance weekend. I was always happy he was off dancing the whole weekend, and will remember Mark by the contra dancing.
Freda Lodge
August 27, 2020
We went to high school with Mark and are just finding out this morning about his passing. He was such a great spirit. Many of his classmates are posting (to our group messenger) good thoughts for his family.
My fondest memory is when four of us formed a signing group for a high school talent show. Maureen Martin Lane, Tim Neal, myself, and Mark. We practiced and practiced 2 songs that we sang, I know that we didn’t win lol, but we had such fun trying! Mark will be truly missed by all of us. Rest In Peace.
Jenny Foster
August 20, 2020
Mark, you were a kindred spirit. I can't believe how much I ache for the loss of you. Your warm, mischievous smile, the twinkle in your eye, your open-mindedness to talk about life with emotional intelligence. You were one of my absolute favorite dance partners and I will miss you greatly, so greatly... on every dance floor in my future. I'm so glad we took a couple opportunities to get "noonles" and lunch together when I worked downtown. I loved and looked forward to my interactions with you. Your spirit was so big, so loving, and leaves a hole - it's just so hard to process never seeing your face again. You were loved. You are missed. Rest in peace.
Jan & Dean Manning-Owen
August 19, 2020
We lived across the street from Mark in Mountlake Terrace. Mark was always smiling or willing to help a neighbor. We loved hearing his stories of time in Alaska or contra dancing and especially how he beamed talking about Grandchildren. We left MLT in 2017 and still kept in touch on FB. We send our sincere condolences to Marks daughters and grandchildren during this difficult time. Jan & Dean
Lisalea Latva
August 19, 2020
I was fortunate enough to stay with Mark a few times during both Folklife and Dancing Fool, and what I most remember from those times was the ease with which he played host. He made me feel immediately at home, and when meeting in the kitchen for food we would get caught up chatting and forget we had a dance to get to, or needed to get some sleep. The twinkle in his eyes was always there, and his enthusiasm for life itself was infectious. Whenever I would step into his library, with books up to the ceiling, I was struck by the broadness of his curiosity for life.
Whenever we get back to dancing, I will greatly miss walking into Lake City and not seeing his warm smile to greet me. And while he recently stepped away from the helm at the Roadhouse's potluck, I will forever see him down there behind the counter...puttering away joyfully, despite missing so many dances. Mark clearly found his groove when it came to enjoying life's simple pleasures; particularly spending time with his grandkids.
I'll miss seeing him and dancing with him at ALL the venues. What a loss for our contra community.... After reading Ken's tributes, I also wish I'd had the opportunity to do carpentry with him.
Sherry Nevins
August 19, 2020
My feelings echo the eloquent messages here from many others. The only other thing I can offer is a compilation of video clips showing Mark dancing at the Lake City Contra Dance in 2018-2019; you can view it at https://youtu.be/eFuwrjlZOeQ
Ken House
August 19, 2020
An additional memory of Mark - When we bought our house in Olympia in 2018 the inspector identified the wobbly basement stairs as a hazard. Mark Buettner
drove down, leveled, reinforced and stabilized them in an afternoon. Usually he told me how to do a carpentry task at a distance and loaned me tools in the Lake City contra dance parking lot during the break, this time I got to see and assist the master at work. He made it look easy. These will always be the Mark Buettner stairs for me.
PS I realize I still have Mark's "3 1/2 Inch Butt Marker" which he loaned to me in the Latvian Center parking lot. The loan came with his demonstration of how to cut a butt hinge mortise. He had a chisel and piece of lumber he brought along just for that purpose during the mid-dance break. Made it look easy again, it wasn't for me, but he talked me through hanging our wooden storm door. I suspect carpenters never really retire.
PSS More memories - We met Mark through contra dancing. He was a joyous dancer. We held potlucks before the Tacoma dance each month and Mark was a regular attendee often bringing others to join us from Seattle. One potluck he heard that the band was staying at our house and that they sang a song about their love of Thai Iced Tea. So Mark stopped at a Thai restaurant on his way done and bought them all tea. I am sharing a photo of Mark with the Pete's Posse band in our living room. Always thoughtful and considerate.
Ken House
August 19, 2020
Mark was a mentor to me as well as a friend, advisor, confidant, travel companion, lender of tools, generous soul, stabilizing force, fellow dancer and ray of light and joy. He freely shared his knowledge of carpentry, the world, tools, carpentry, woodworking, did I mention carpentry, passion for good food, life philosophy and everything else. Always in a loving, happy, clear and caring manner. There was nothing we could not talk about from old men's medical maladies to politics and beyond.
Mark was equally at home in hardware stores, lumber yards, museums and art galleries. Rarely have I found someone who takes more time in an art or history exhibit than I do, but Mark did. My fondest memories are our three consecutive day trips to visit Hardwick's Hardware as we carefully and meticulously traversed the store from one side to the other, aisle by aisle, tool by tool, case by case, drawer by drawer. Not to be rushed, but every moment savored and discussed. He had such a zeal and passion for life, it never occurred to me that he would be gone one day. My life is so much better for having known him. I love him, I miss him and I grieve him.
Diana Ewins
August 19, 2020
I shared a pleasant lunch with Mark a few weeks ago, socially distancing - as we commented on how surreal everything has become lately. His smile was ear to ear as he talked about his kids and grandchildren. I felt such a connection to Mark since I first met him contra dancing years ago. The conversation always flowed freely, on any topic. I appreciated his kind and endearing heart, quick wit, and the thoughtful way he would always save a dance for me. The last time we talked, we were already making plans for our next visit, sadly that day will never come. Mark - I am so saddened by your departure. I wish I were able to sneak in one last hug when I left your house the other day.
Jenny Schleusner
August 18, 2020
I had the pleasure of being sort of taken under Mark's wing as a new dancer. What a great teacher and joyful person, I felt comfortable with him right away. He encouraged me to try the Cascade Promenade after I had only been dancing a few months. I was nervous to try it but wow what a fun time! Only after reading these comments did I realize Mark was actually running part of it! Very sneaky, Mark! Lol! I can imagine him laughing at me just figuring that out! I also knew Mark from the library where he would sometimes return his books and stop to say hello if I was working. He was always so cheerful and had great stories about his kids and grandkids. Honestly, what a great person and I'm thrilled I got to be on earth at the same time as him. Mark, you are greatly missed! I have a video of Mark and I dancing at the Roadhouse which I now treasure.
Karen Buettner
August 18, 2020
Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
My dear brother, the best ever, was so kind and generous to me over the years -- Boulder CO, Alaska, the many years in Seattle. He was like a second father to my daughter. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor: when his daughters were little they noticed a scar on his knee, so he told them, well, in his younger years he was a pirate. Gone too soon. My heart breaks.
Matthew Weinstein
August 18, 2020
I knew Mark from dance, from potlucks at Ken and Lisas, and through shared friends; and I always loved dancing with and laughing with him. He really had an infectious sense of humor; he was always clearly enjoying his time in community. I cannot say enough how much joie de vivre he brought to the dances and how he raised the sense of joy in the halls where we danced.
This is a photo of Mark with myself photo bombing the background. This was at a dancer's birthday party on Mercer Island. Thank you Brian Miller for this great photo.
Carolyn Gresswell
August 18, 2020
Mark was always such a friendly face at the Lake City dance and was one of the first people I remember connecting with there while stacking chairs. I remember him often offering me a ride back up the hill when it was colder since he knew I would have to walk up it otherwise. In a way I wish I had taken him up on it more since then I would have gotten to know him better. He was always so thoughtful and even took the less glamorous job of organizing the potluck at cascade promenade and miss out on dancing more then half of the Roadhouse. I wish I had gotten more dances with Mark, but I never thought we would lose him so soon. My heart goes out to his family for losing such a caring soul.
Patrick Gariety
August 16, 2020
I had the good fortune of getting to know Mark through his friendship with Becky. What I appreciated the most about Mark was his seemingly always sunny disposition—also, his irrepressible curiosity and wonder about life, along with his knowledge about so many things. Travel, politics, star-gazing, personal finance, carpentry, bicycling, dancing, Asian cuisine, along with countless other interests, were all subjects in which you could dive deeply with Mark. He loved to dance, and made it look easy, at least to me, as I struggled to learn how to contra dance myself. He always looked so happy when he danced, which always left me feeling that was how I myself wished to look when I was dancing! The last time I saw Mark was about a month ago. Becky and I biked over to his home and shared lunch with him, outdoors. We were all collectively struggling with the isolation of COVID, and it was a happy occasion to be breaking bread together once again. I experienced Mark as someone who lived life fully and avidly. I much admired him, and thinking on it now, I realize he was role model for me. He will be greatly missed!
Becky Chan
August 16, 2020
“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” Mark would say to me whenever we ate out. Over food was how we bonded. And we would always shared. He loved any asian cuisine and was quite an adventurous eater. He saved a Chinese receipt from a recent lunch I brought him so he could order the same thing next time...He texted me on Friday July 31, “Sad day in Mudville. I went to get Ants in the Tree at Szechuan Gardens and they are closed. The inside is all gutted out for a renovation. Will I get my spicy tendon? Oh sigh, Drat and Hell.” My house and garden are full of reminders of Mark. Most recently we made dollies for my potted plants so I can roll them around. He designed and cut wood pieces for me to form a cold frame with old windows for the garden. Mark used his brand new saw for that. The saw would stop if his hand got into the blade’s way. He loved his tools. He taught me how to make a mortise and tenon joint for my woodworking class. That guy loved to tinker and show off his new toys whether it’s saws or bikes. Yup, he bought an electric bike before they became popular, investing in a new start up company. Oh boy, did he miss contra dancing. No Folklife, no fun! His feet hurt but he never stopped. Mark was such a great dancer and a gentleman the ladies loved dancing with him. Sometimes guys, too. But nothing topped being with his grandchildren. He sent me a photo when he finally was able to hold Brook’s new baby. “Lap rats,” he called them. His joyous smile coming deep from his heart is how I remember my dear friend. May there be contra dancing, beef tendon and hot chili sauce where you’re resting. Love ya, Mark.
George and Thesvy Peters
August 16, 2020
Mark Buettner, the best neighbor in the Pacific Northwest!
We will miss that he will no longer pop his head over our shared fence to discuss politics, dancing, cycling, news of his children and grandchildren, his cabin in Alaska, his interest in astronomy, ad infinitum. You name it and it was most likely discussed over the fence.
In addition to our shared fence we share a young fig tree. We have 5 fig trees but when we foolishly bought another with no perfect sunny spot to plant it, Mark provided it a home. We provided the tree, Mark bestowed it a sunny spot on his property, dug the hole and made sure it was watered. Next year it will bear fruit that alas we cannot share as planned.
His woodworking help, advice and all the loaned tools (he seemed to have a Home Depot in his shed) over the years will be so terribly missed.
We already mourn the loss of being able to stand by our fence shooting the breeze with our very special and much loved neighbor Mark Buettner.