Mark David Stevenson was born January 4, 1986 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. At the age of one, he and his family moved to Richfield Springs, New York. While living there, Mark was diagnosed at the age of three with Hunter Syndrome, a very rare degenerative disorder that he had since birth. During this time Mark began early childhood intervention school in Herkimer, New York. At the age of four, Mark underwent a bone marrow transplant at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, a procedure that helped to halt the effects of this disorder. At the age of seven, he and his family moved to Leighton, Iowa and Mark was enrolled in the Pella Community School system until the age of twenty-one, with the exception of four years, during which time he was part of the Newton Community Schools.

Mark enjoyed life to its fullest, given his limitations. He loved biking, walking, cruising, watching his favorite videos over and over and puzzling. He had a zest for life and enjoyed life in its simplest pleasures. For several years he participated in Special Olympics in Ames and Des Moines, doing well in biking and bowling. Mark was a baptized member of the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella. His favorite song was "Jesus Loves Me." Mark enjoyed people and people enjoyed interaction with him.

Mark went to be with Jesus on March 10, 2010 at the age of twenty-four. He will be sorely missed by his father and mother, David and Ruth, and his older brother, Joel. Mark is also survived by Grand-dad Stevenson; uncles and aunts: Marcia and Bob, Syl and Karen, Mary and Earl, Don and Paula, Jane and Dan; cousins: Lisa, Sean, Rebecca, Steven, Joya, Sara, Myra, Heather, Ethan, Lawren, Nathan, Justin, and Eric; and many friends and caregivers. A special acknowledgment is given to Sam Conway of Malvern, Pennsylvania, Mark's unrelated bone marrow donor.

Preceding him in death were Grandpa and Grandma Gerritsma, Grandma Stevenson, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Lois.

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:30 A.M., Saturday, March 13, 2010
Second Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Begins at noon on Friday, March 12, 2010
with family present 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

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