Mark Steven Heath

Mark Steven (Spence) Heath of Rush City passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024 while under the care of hospice at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, at the age of 61.

He was born November 30, 1962 to Claymond “Pappy” Heath and Ruby (Zornes) Davis while his mother was visiting relatives in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the youngest of nine half siblings.

Mark lived in International Falls, Minnesota until around age 10, when he and his mother moved to Rush City where he lived the rest of his life. As a child, Mark was an industrious Boy Scout. He also had pet Beagle dogs that he adored. He attended Rush City schools and graduated in 1981. He then went to Anoka AVTI for Small Engine Repair. He opened his own business called “Mark's Small Engine Clinic,” working out of his garage shop for many years. Mark was proud to resurrect engines from the dead, even those that should have remained dead.

Mark met JoEllen Lind in 1980 and they married in 1983, having two spirited children Barb and Matthew. Mark legally changed his name to take his biological father's last name before his daughter was born. The family went up to International Falls every summer for their vacations on Rainy Lake. Mark really enjoyed returning “home” to fish, swim, and listen to the loons. He even loved the smell of the paper mill. Being “home” was easy. Leaving was always hard. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, singing karaoke, having cookouts, “secretly” feeding turkey to his granddog under the table, and exercising his boisterous, sarcastic sense of humor. There was nothing he wouldn't say out loud.

Mark and JoEllen divorced in 2000 but they remained friends. After Mark “retired” from running his own business, he worked at a few different places. He spent many years at Lindstrom Wheelhorse and remembered his time there fondly. He also worked at a couple of liquor stores in Rush City where he loved greeting familiar faces.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Claymond Heath and Ruby Davis; beloved son Matthew Heath; sister Juanita Frenette; brother Oran Spence Jr.

A visitation/gathering for family and friends will be held from 4-7 PM; Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com