Mark Joseph Allen Jr. of Culdesac passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at age 84.
Mark was a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, enrollment number lucky 13. He was born Nov. 7, 1932, to Mark Allen Sr. and Irene Wilkinson-Allen. Mark grew up with his parents and nine other siblings on Cottonwood Creek. Much of his young life, he grew up working on the family farm. He would relate how he was sent to Chemawa Indian Boarding School as a young boy. Upon returning to the family farm, he worked many years with his parents and siblings.
He first attended elementary school in Gifford and then began school at Culdesac High School. He later attended Eugene Technical/Vocational College, studying diesel mechanics and welding. At this time he married Ernestine Paul, and they adopted a child and had two biological children. Mark joined the Teamsters Union and began his career as a heavy equipment operator. He traveled to many areas of the Northwest, building roads and working on other construction projects.
Mark lived in many areas of the Northwest, including Alaska. Much of his lifestyle put him in many precarious situations and crazy adventures. He did say that driving was his biggest pleasure, and he often took trips just to "be on the road." Later in his retirement, he was involved in Nez Perce tribal activities, such as being on the TERO (Tribal Employment Rights Office) commission and participating in tribal historical events, including pipe ceremonies and tribal elder trips.
He enjoyed going to yard sales and auctions and visiting with old friends. He also enjoyed going to powwows to watch his family dance - especially his grandson - or to just to get a piece of frybread. Much of his life, he relished in "making sweat" or "chasing smoke," and he loved being with his sweathouse family. He had many stories of his hunting and fishing adventures with his parents and trips to the mountains to gather roots or pick huckleberries.
He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Lapwai boys basketball team throughout the years. His favorite sports teams were the Mariners, Seahawks and the Zags. You couldn't pry him away from watching his favorite teams.
On April 7, 1999, he married Audrenne Tierney of Sweetwater, and they lived at their home on Cottonwood Creek until his passing. They spent 19 years together, often traveling and enjoying life. Through many hardships in his lifetime, he still kept a positive and humorous attitude until the end of his life. He wished he could have done more to make amends to his family or to be a better man and father. All he could say was that we are human beings and we make mistakes and not to let too much time pass before we tell family that we love them and care for them.
Mark is survived by his wife, Audrenne Allen; daughter Myra Campbell (Larry); sons Ben Allen (Sue) and Stewart Allen; and grandchildren Jeremy Bovencamp, Jacob Wilson, Shilo Wilson, Tiyapo Campbell, and Mike, Alan, Melissa, Steven and Andrew Robinson. He also has a special place in his heart for the children he helped raise - Kim, Michael and Gary McMahon. Surviving siblings are Clifford Allen and Connie Claye Allen. He was preceded in death by son Mark E. Allen III; brothers Chick, John, Francis, Phillip, Stewart and Nelson; and sisters Delphine, Viola, Agnes, Elizabeth, Dora, Elsie and Ramona.
Special thanks to the Cottonwood Creek community and the Nez Perce Tribe for their help when he lost his home to fire many years ago. He has not forgotten your generosity through that difficult time. Special thanks to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and their comfort care team, who saw him through his passing and helped our family. To all those that loved him and spent time with him during his life and his passing, thank you for being in our lives, you are very much appreciated.
By Mark's request, there will be no services or viewing, and cremation has taken place. The family wishes to hold a memorial later this spring.
