Mark T. Stender was born March 15, 1958 in Seattle Washington. He grew up in the Conway area and then in 1972, moved to Cheney and graduated high school. In 1976 Mark moved back to Mt.Vernon permanently, eventually acquiring a successful metal fabrication business. Mark was a talented blacksmith, who's work can be seen throughout Skagit County and up and down the coast. Mark was a member of Northwest Blacksmith Association, ABANA, NRA, and Northwest Sprint car Association. His hobbies were auto racing, tinkering in his workshop and fishing. He was preceded in death by his father Richard T. Stender. He is survived by a son, Kyle Kurth of Mt. Vernon, mother, Mary Stender of Cheney, sister, Darbury Novaselic and brother, John Stender of Tonasket. He had numerous other loved ones, good friends and acquaintances whom will all surely miss him. He made a lasting impression on thousands of peoples lives directly and indirectly with his warm personality and beautiful ironwork. A memorial services will be held at Hawthorne Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon Washington, Saturday September 27th at 1:00 pm.