Mark Jay Stiver

Mark Jay Stiver, 61, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2021. Mark was born on June 11, 1959 in Norton, Kansas to Beverly Sue (Voeltz) and James Harold Stiver. He grew up in Lincoln, NE before moving to Alexandria, MN. After graduating from Jefferson High School (Class of 1977) in Alexandria he attended The University of North Dakota. Mark graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from UND in 1981. He achieved computer science student of the year while attending UND. He then accepted a job with Exxon Production Research Company which took him across the country to Houston, TX. There he excelled in his many roles until his retirement in 2017 as a Scientific Computing Architect in the Architecture and Technology division of ExxonMobil Global Services. He has been described as a respected mentor and friend by many colleagues.

Outside of work, Mark had many interests. His true passion was the wonder of the outdoors. Mark was an avid traveler with his wife as his best travel companion! He deeply immersed himself in the beauty of the USA. He devoted much of his travels to exploring National Parks and many State Parks. When he wasn’t hiking the trails, he was researching the next great spot to discover. He visited all 50 states; the finale being Alaska on it’s 50th anniversary of statehood in his 50th year. His favorite quotes sum his love up perfectly, “The mountains are calling and I must go” and “I would rather be lost in the woods than found in the city,” as well as, “Hike more, worry less.”

He also treasured time with his family at their second home, Deerwood Acres, in Bellville, TX. He spent much of his time discovering the land and enjoying the serene atmosphere. In addition, Mark also loved photography, wine collecting and tending to his butterfly garden.

Mark also loved sports. He was a devoted fan of Nebraska Cornhuskers football, Kansas Jayhawks basketball and UND hockey. It was very rare that he ever missed a televised game! He also loved cheering on many of his other favorite teams! If sports were on, Mark wasn’t far away.

Mark was an exceptional husband of almost 40 years to his high school sweetheart, Jody Louise Trenne. They built a wonderful family with 2 daughters, Stacie and Rebekah. He thought the world of them and never hid his pride for his daughter’s accomplishments. Mark also deeply admired his son-in-law, Ryan Cantrell, whom he grew very close to. He was so glad to finally have another guy in a family full of girls! Mark was also the best Grandpa to his beloved granddaughters, Savannah and Tessa. He loved to challenge them; from puzzles, to brainteasers, to researching various butterflies or insects they found together. He introduced them to nature and instilled the love he had for the outdoors in his granddaughters. He taught them wonderful lessons and poured his love into them. He is their “Grampy” forever.

Mark will be forever loved and cherished by his wife, Jody Stiver, daughters, Stacie Stiver and Rebekah Cantrell, son-in-law Ryan Cantrell and his two precious granddaughters, Savannah and Tessa Cantrell. Mark is survived by his parents, Harold and Beverly Stiver, mother-in-law Kathy Trenne, sister, Lou Anne (Marc) Gigstad, and brother-in-laws, James (Joanne) Trenne and Tim (Mary) Trenne. Mark has many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends to mourn his loss. Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leonard and Louise Voeltz and Clifford and Gladys Stiver, as well as, his father-in-law Arlyn Trenne.

Mark fiercely fought Stage IV prostate cancer for nearly 8 years and would be proud to say that he never lost that battle. He felt fortunate to have the best and most caring doctors at MD Anderson that are on the forefront of cancer treatment. He sincerely valued their expertise and determination in the quest to help him defeat cancer. Mark learned just how important early detection is and has been very outspoken in his encouragement for all to take the steps to catch cancer early.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted to the National Park Foundation (https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/donate.htm) or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/donations/) or any local State Park you love so others can continue to enjoy the beauty of outdoors the way Mark did.