Marcos "Mark" Valentine Veristain II

Marcos Valentine Veristain II of Idaho City, ID was anything but normal. So, this obituary will be anything but boring. He died at home, surrounded by his wife and children, April 16th at 11:39 pm.  He was born July 28th, 1954, to Marcos Valentine Veristain and Dixie Marie (Lewin) in Ontario, OR. As the first boy in the family, he kept his sisters (Lynda (Peter) Dallman of Hood River, OR; Dorthy Veristain of McMinnville, OR; and Diane (Scott) Jensen of Oxbow, OR) on their toes. They were joined by a fifth member, Barry (Leslie) Veristain of Portland, OR) to round out their powerhouse crew. Marcos was pretty happy to have a brother to help him in his house full of girls.

Marcos grew up in Vale and Ontario Oregon where he sang, played baseball, and had a life changing experience when he attended church camp with his friend at the age of 16. God radically changed his life and gave him a focus and love for people that continued his whole life.

Upon graduation from Ontario High School, he made the next best decision of his life and attended Northwest College (now Northwest University) in Kirkland, WA. He obtained his Bachelors of Arts degree, but the best thing he received from Northwest was his wife of 49 years, 7 months, 17 days, and not nearly enough minutes, Loveta (Buhler) of Nampa, ID.

Married life as a lay pastor took him and his young wife to, what seemed like, the ends of the earth. Logging camps and Eskimo villages kept the young couple busy. While pastoring and logging with Silver Bay Logging on Chichagof Island, their first child Loveta Marie (Dowain Geesey) of Lansing NY, joined them. Two years later Marcos and his wife navigated through the loss of a second daughter (Heather Jo) where they learned to lean on God and lean on each other even more. Two years after their loss, God blessed them with a third daughter, Michelle Danae (Josh Prim) of Marietta, GA. For some reason, Michelle’s entrance into the world drove them north…way North! Nuiqsut, Alaska was home for a brief time, but it was extremely impactful. Future congregations would hear stories of Alaska over and over.

The birth of their fourth and final child, but their first boy, took them south. All the way to Nampa, ID. Marcos Valentine Veristain III of Idaho City, ID made his dramatic entrance in June of 1984. In August of that same year the still young couple made their final move to Idaho City.

When Mark walked into the doors of Idaho City Christian Center for the first time, he heard God audibly say, “This is the place.” And it was. Idaho City held his heart for the next 39 ½ years. Death is the only thing that could separate him from his family and his love for “his town”.

Mark is pre-deceased by his father, father-in-law Duane Buhler of Nampa, daughter, a stepmother Adelia and a beloved stepfather, James Broussard of Saudi Arabia, as well as a loved niece Rebekah Kinney Oberson, brother-in-law Mike Elliott, his grandparents, two great nephews, and many aunts and uncles.

For those that are learning to survive without him, there are many. The most important group, as they well know, is the Grandkids. The four-wheeler rides, the waffles and cookies, the hunting, the trampoline, camping, fishing, swimming, sports, music-he was their biggest fan and cheerleader as well as their most influential partner in high shenanigans. Grandpa told me I could! Dowain Paul, Loveta Michelle, Kendra Alexxis, Alanna Marie, Tyler Jackson, Landon James, Olivia Mae, and Lily Grace-you were the light of his world and his favorite everything.

Followed closely in favorites were his children. (Yes, Mom, we know you are actually the favorite!) After those people, the list is a mix and long. Three sisters and five sisters-in-law, one brother and six brothers-in-law. His mother and mother-in-law. Thirty-three nieces and nephews. Twenty-eight great nieces and nephews. Holy smokes, we have a big family! And he loved them all. However, his love was not limited to those that were related by blood or marriage. It would be quite negligent to fail to mention the “family” that extended beyond those bounds. To his bus kids, church kids, school kids, and the town of Idaho City at large, you are the family he claimed as well.

Mark, Pastor Mark, PM, Mister Mark, Dad, Gramps, Uncle Myrtle, whatever he was called, he loved fiercely. And with great enthusiasm. Everything he did was with great enthusiasm, although not planning. But he was sure it would be “fine”. And usually it was, eventually. From pastoring in Idaho City, a “circuit riding pastor” to Horseshoe Bend for a time, bus driving, keeping stats at games, to living life, he lived life well. But, more than his love, he knew God loved each person he encountered. And he took it as his goal in life to make sure everyone knew that. Just remember-you aren’t good-you’re great!

Celebration of Life will be held at Idaho City Christian Center/Veristain Pines, 3853 Highway 21, Idaho City, ID Sunday April 21st, 11am. Potluck Fellowship to follow. 

Monday April 22nd, 9-10:30 am Visitation and Viewing open to all at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave S, Nampa, ID followed by an 11 am Graveside at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 15862 Indiana Ave, Caldwell ID. All are welcome.

Donations and Memorials may be sent through Idaho City Christian Center, PO Box 1222, Idaho City, ID 83631 or via PayPal to idahocitychristiancenter@gmail.com. Flowers may be sent to The Veristain Family via Julean Morris, 12597 S Carriage Hill Way, Nampa, ID 83686

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