Mark Gregory Hand

Mark Gregory Hand passed away on Feb. 4, 2021, at St. Patrick hospital, from a stroke that took him swiftly but entirely too soon.

Mark was born on Oct. 13, 1956, to Bob and Esther Hand in Lawrence, Kansas. As a young boy he lived with his family in Illinois, California, and Montana and graduated from Whitefish High School.

Mark was a gifted musician who was able to learn songs by listening and instruments by experimenting. He played guitar and sang in “garage” bands in California and Montana, performing at school functions and dances. He spent a summer in Glacier Park as a singing waiter at the Many Glacier Hotel. Later he performed solo at various establishments and several weddings of friends and family.

After attending the University of Montana for a couple of years Mark decided school life wasn’t for him and left to discover his own interests and aptitudes. He found his talent in carpentry, especially working with wood. After a period of time working in Anchorage, Alaska, Mark moved to Idaho where he worked various construction jobs and had a “Handy Man” business in the Sun Valley area until he moved to Nampa, Idaho and was hired by Canyon County to work on building and renovation projects. In his spare time he built furniture, decks, and other wood creations. Mark was fond of animals and had several cats and dogs throughout his life. His border collie “Buddy” was usually with him on job sites and leisure time. Mark had a love for the outdoors and spent time hiking, cross-country skiing, and fishing. He also enjoyed golf, motorcycle-riding, sailing, and target practice with a bow or gun.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Esther Hand.

Mark is survived by his sisters, Sonja Border and Rebecca Hand-Smith both of Missoula; his nieces and their husbands, Heather and Brad Grutsch, and Kristen and Greg Patton all of Missoula; his great-nieces and nephew, Grace, Claire, and Brandon Grutsch all of Missoula.

Cremation has taken place. There is no memorial planned at this time but the family hopes to honor his life this spring or summer with family and friends. Online condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.