Mark A. Ashcraft

Evidence of a life well lived can be found in the sentiments of family and friends who describe this incredible man as grateful, generous, loving, spiritual, compassionate, devoted, persistent, precise, outdoorsy, charming, wicked funny, cookie crazy, hell-bent, often tardy, strikingly handsome, and more. He thought the Three Stooges were hilarious. His one-liners were legendary and sometimes cringe-worthy. Sneaking cookies as a child developed into a polished art form as an adult. He played guitar, hiked, fished, camped, danced, and fully embraced life. If you knew him, you were one of the lucky ones.

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Mark was born January 25, 1957 in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska and graduated from Omaha Westside High School in 1975. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before ultimately becoming a licensed electrician, a profession he excelled at until retirement in 2020. His desire to serve others plays out in the background of our lives today in stores, offices, warehouses, campgrounds and other places where he was part of a team wiring the electricity in the safest and most enduring way. Mark chose Lincoln to be his home for 47 years. Sadly, he lost his courageous and bold battle with heart disease and cancer on September 23, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Perhaps poetic for a man with such an incredibly big heart.

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A love of nature led Mark to spend his leisure hours outdoors hiking, fishing, camping and hunting. His heart soared exploring Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado while hunting quail and pheasant with his adored hunting dogs, first Smoke and then Kona. He was an avid Huskers fan and relished any opportunity to be in the stands, although armchair quarterbacking in the living room was a favorite as well. Mark’s life in Lincoln was full and he was blessed with many wonderful friends including brothers Danny, Jeff, and Dennis Toma, Tom Rympf, and Bill Daffer.

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Mark’s passion for music led to meeting the love of his life, Deb McKenzie, in 2007 at a bluegrass festival. It was kismet and they were a couple from that moment on. She left her home in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada to marry Mark in 2012. Their love of bluegrass created many happy moments throughout their time together, from blazing campfires to concerts to festivals and more.

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In recent years, a highlight in his life was annual gatherings with his sisters Jean Pfarr, Jill Brunner, Teri Anderson and cousin Natalie Monnig. Adventures included Lake Powell, Lake Tahoe, Breckenridge, Black Hills, Estes Park, Glacier National Park, Port Aransas, and tracing roots in Glasgow and Fayette, Missouri. Their 2024 family celebration in Omaha featured card playing and enjoying the College Baseball World Series.

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When cancer came into his life, Mark took the path of going to doctors and expecting them to heal him. Over time, he began to realize that healing is an active sport. Mark shifted his focus to learning about his body and what led to his illnesses. He used his well-developed logical mind to process the information and relied on his lifelong faith in God to open the door to an expansive view of healing. Mark remained optimistic and continued living life to its fullest until he completed his healing journey on September 23, 2024, at age 67.

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Mark is survived by his wife, Deb McKenzie; siblings Jean (Jerry) Pfarr of Elko, NV, Kevin Ashcraft and Jill (Dennis) Brunner of Ft. Collins, CO, and Teri (Bill) Anderson of Greenfield, MO; nieces and nephews Alex Pfarr of Vail, AZ, Jeremy Pfarr of Issaquah, WA, Jillian Pfarr of Reno, NV, Jake Brunner of Ingleside, TX, Sam Brunner of Pine Bluffs, WY, Tracey Soukup and Jacob Anderson of Greenfield, MO, Erin Story of North Bend, WA, Sara McKinney of Clever, MO, Mary Garnett of Cave Springs, AR, 25 great nieces and nephews, and his dog, Kona. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Marcia (Nivert) Ashcraft, niece Amanda Anderson, and dog Smoke.

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Mark was a master procrastinator. If he did not get around to saying goodbye to you, please know he was thinking about it.

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Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 2nd at Branched Oak State Park from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Reach out to a family member for the exact location.

Memorial suggestion: Nebraska Pheasants Forever at nebraskapf.com

Special thanks to cousin Ellen Wilks who offered Mark guidance, love, and support.