Mark Eliot Shaffer

To a wonderfull brother, who always like to tell a story and make people laugh. I remember as a youngster falling off the edge of the dock at Okoboji. Mark rushed over and got me out of the water. I was blessed to have such a watchfull brother.

All my condolences to you Diana and the enitre Shaffer family. I knew Mark from Okoboji but got to know him much better in Tempe in the 70's. We had alot of fun with the entire Shaffer glan and miss not seeing them. How our lives change and we loose touch with people.. Please know that we will miss Mark and think of the things he brought to us in his life. I hope he is in a better and more peaceful place.........

Diana and the Shaffer Family,
I was saddened today to learn of Marks passing.I know he'd had problems the last few years but I'm sure he is smiling down on us now. He not only was a great guy, but he was one of the funniest people I have ever known. He always had that smile on his face and you knew he was thinking of his next prank and who the lucky recipient would be....Take care

Mark Shaffer Family,
I have been getting ready to travel to Iowa for our 40th class reunion and commented to Deb (Petterson) Albrecht that I hoped Mark was coming. She told me she had just seen his obituary in the Ft. Dodge paper. I was so sad as I had hoped to experience some of that Mark humor. I remember one summer Mark had just got his drivers license. He was coming to my house to show off he had the

Mark Shaffer Family,
I have been getting ready to travel to Iowa for our 40th class reunion and commented to Deb (Petterson) Albrecht that I hoped Mark was coming. She told me she had just seen his obituary in the Ft. Dodge paper. I was so sad as I had hoped to experience some of that Mark humor. I remember one summer Mark had just got his drivers license. He was coming to my house to show off he had the car. It was a white station wagon and he had taken it through Reynolds park behind his house down a steep curvy gravel road sliding into the ditch on one side then the other. The station wagon had long dents and scratches on both sides. We never let him forget his stunt man driving skills and I don't think his Dad did either. He used to sent me sweet letters and cards from Okobogi when he worked at Arnolds Park as the octopus ride operator. He would proudly tell me that his ride made more people throw up than any other ride and always had great stories to tell about who got splattered. He had his own garden hose to wash everything down. Funny what you remember. I loved the picture of Mark. He had not changed a bit except just his hair color. I will always hold a place in my heart for my first love Mark Shaffer. Sincerely Michele

I want to thank all of you for your support of the Shaffer family and sharing your beautiful memories of Mark. As sad as I am today, and my heart feels like it's breaking saying goodbye to Mark, I am so relieved that he is now pain-free. Diana, Mark's wife, gave him a beautiful farewell yesterday celebrating his life. No doubt he's smiling down on us saying, "All this for me?"

Even though Mark lived in Aizona for the past 34

I want to thank all of you for your support of the Shaffer family and sharing your beautiful memories of Mark. As sad as I am today, and my heart feels like it's breaking saying goodbye to Mark, I am so relieved that he is now pain-free. Diana, Mark's wife, gave him a beautiful farewell yesterday celebrating his life. No doubt he's smiling down on us saying, "All this for me?"

Even though Mark lived in Aizona for the past 34 years, he never forgot his "Iowa roots." Over these past several months when I would visit him, he would always reminisce about Fort Dodge and Lake Okoboji. Mark's long-term memory was incredible, but he had lost much of his short-term memory. It's those childhood memories, when he was healthiest and so physically active, the care-free days of just being a child and teenager, and having lots of fun back then that put a big smile on his face even through his pain. Last month when I went to visit him, I brought in a rather large picture of "the Lakes" and surprised him with that to put in his room. It was a picture that was given to me as a gift for my 40th birthday (few years ago).....the Lakes as we remember it. I will never forget how his face lit up when I shared it with him. Once again, it was looking at the Lakes that gave him so much peace and comfort up until the very end.

Even with Mark's declining health, he never lost his sense of humor. I will miss our playing off one another with the twisted Shaffer sense of humor. Mark was compassionate; he had a heart of gold and such a charming personality, he could charm the birds out of the trees! He looked so much like our Dad and possessed so many of our Dad's attributes.

Before Mark left us, he made it very clear to us where he wanted his final resting places to be: In Arizona, with his wife Diana, and he made us promise him that we would see to it that he would be taken back to Lake Okoboji.

Mark's life has come full circle, I guess you could say. I will bring Mark back to Iowa, his first home. I once read that "Okoboji" means "place of rest." I'm not sure if that's truly the definition, but I like that definition, and it is very fitting.

One final thing I know Mark would want me to share with all of you..... Whether it was saying goodbye to him on the phone or leaving him from a visit, he would always say, "Please tell everyone I love them."

My Dearest Brother Mark, until we meet again, as I always said to you when I would tell you goodbye, "Don't forget to miss me!" How blessed I am to have you as my Brother.

Love,
Kim

Mark, as I sit here looking over the lake on the day of your funeral I can't help but to reflect on all the good times we had here. The lake is unusually calm, the leaves are changing "seems fitting". I'll miss your calls just to ask what's going on. Thanks for the memories.
Kim, thanks for the calls in Mark's last days, I'll remember those conversations with Mark the rest of my life
God bless the family, Mark will be missed

Over time, lives change. From moving, to marriage, to families, to career changes - many things alter and affect our lives. But one thing doesn't change in the memories we have of special people, places, and times. Mark, indeed, holds a big and very special place in my memory and heart. From the good times at Lake Okoboji, continuing on through college days to A.S.U., and even some temporary jobs we worked after graduation. The fond memories are great reminders

Over time, lives change. From moving, to marriage, to families, to career changes - many things alter and affect our lives. But one thing doesn't change in the memories we have of special people, places, and times. Mark, indeed, holds a big and very special place in my memory and heart. From the good times at Lake Okoboji, continuing on through college days to A.S.U., and even some temporary jobs we worked after graduation. The fond memories are great reminders of the true Mark. He was a kind, fun loving, a "little mischievious" kind of guy always willing to lend a helping hand and never wanting to miss a good time or reason to celebrate.

Under Mark's "Life Images" posting, one particular photo of Mark and 6 dudes sitting around a bar (*imagine that!) brings back extra special memeories. That's when Mark came back to Lake Okoboji for my wedding in July 1989.

To Diana and all the Shaffers go my heartfelt condolences in Mark's passing, and to you, Mark, from one old "Lake Rat" to another, here's one last toast to a great guy and great friend. Thanks for the joy and kindness you spread to everyone's lives you touched. "Thanks for the Memories" - This one's truely for you!

P.S. Save Us Place Up There - Denny Colbert

Over time, lives change. From moving, to marriage, to families, to career changes - many things alter and affect our lives. But one thing that doesn't change is the memory we have of special people, places and times. Mark, indeed, holds a big and very special place in my memory and heart. From the good times at Lake Okoboji, continuing on through college days at A.S.U., and even some temporary jobs we worked after graduation, the fond memories are great

Over time, lives change. From moving, to marriage, to families, to career changes - many things alter and affect our lives. But one thing that doesn't change is the memory we have of special people, places and times. Mark, indeed, holds a big and very special place in my memory and heart. From the good times at Lake Okoboji, continuing on through college days at A.S.U., and even some temporary jobs we worked after graduation, the fond memories are great reminders of the true Mark. He was a kind, fun loving, a "little mischievious" kind of guy, always willing to lend a helping hand and never wanting to miss a good time or reason to celebrate.

Under Mark's "Life Images" posting, one particular photo of Mark and 6 dudes sitting around a bar (imagine that!) brings back extra special memories. That's when Mark came back to Lake Okoboji for my wedding in July 1989.

To Diana and all the Shaffers go my heartfelt condolences in Mark's passing. And to you Mark, from one old "Lake Rat" to the another, here's one last toast to a great guy and great friend. Thanks for the joy and kindness you spread to everyone's lives you touched. "Thanks for the Memories" .... this one is truely for you.

P.S. Save us place up there, Denny Colbert

As a family some of our fondest memories revolve around Mark and his great sense of humor. Our boys will always treasure that Uncle Mark would make Christmas extra special when he showed up as Santa. He was a generous and loving man who was always willing to give of himself. We take great comfort knowing he is in a much better place, and no doubt he has everyone there smiling, laughing, and watching ASU football...He will be greatly missed by all of us!

My deepest sympathy to Ann,Kim and the rest of the Shaffer family. I pray that wonderful memories of Mark will help you through this difficult time. It has been years since the good old days at Taco Towne. Mark was always the life of the party and a great friend to everyone. May the Lord watch over all of you in the days ahead. Curly