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Mark Stanley Cummins

Mar. 12, 1948 - Sep. 14, 2020

Date of Service: Sep. 23, 2020

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HANSEN – Mark Stanley Cummins was born on March 12, 1948, to Aubrey Ellis and Lanora Christina Jensen Cummins in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was the third of what would become four boys (Terry, Allen, Mark and Daniel) to complete the family.

The boys were raised on the Uhlig Ranch in Murtaugh where they learned from an early age the value of hard work. They were all driving tractors long before they received their driver’s licenses. There were seven or eight families living on the ranch providing plenty of friends to play with. Between the work and the play, there wasn’t any room for boredom.

Mark graduated from Murtaugh High School in 1966. That fall he started attending college at Idaho State University. It didn’t take him long to realize that farming was really what he wanted to spend his life doing.

He started working for his dad and in the following spring, married his high school sweetheart, Deborah Perkins. They had five children, Brooke (Troy Rovig), Grant (Leah), Nick (Tobee), Logan (Linda), and Nathan (Crystal). They raised their children on the farm where they also learned the value of hard work and that a job worth doing was worth doing well. It certainly wasn’t all work and no play. There was plenty of fun to be had with children and grandchildren; snow skiing, water skiing, time at the cabin, fishing, hunting, roping, sports activities, and family vacations. Mark’s family was his most valued possession.

Terry left the farm to pursue a career in a different form of agriculture and Allen, Mark and Daniel eventually took over the family farm when their father retired. Mark started working for Ed Uhlig feeding cattle in the feedlot during the winters and in a few years became manager of the feedlot. He had a sharp business mind and worked hard to support his family.

He was an incredibly generous man and loved being able to help others, especially those who were struggling or down on their luck. He preferred to keep those things to himself with occasional help from his kids and most had no idea where their good fortune came from.

He served on the board of the Idaho Cattle Feeders Association and also on the Idaho Potato Board.

He became an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served diligently in many callings, including serving in the Boise Temple for many years. He loved his Savior and the highlight of his life was being sealed as a family in the Salt Lake Temple.

In December 2013, Mark received the devastating diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Over the next seven years his family and loved ones watched him gradually slip away even though he was still here physically. He always had such a big presence in their lives and although his absence is painful, his family is grateful he was able to be released from this disease and return to his loving Heavenly Father and loved ones waiting there. He passed away peacefully on September 14, 2020, to join them.

The family would like to thank those at Chardonnay and DeSano Place Assisted Living Centers. They are grateful for the wonderful care Mark received in the last few months of his life.

The outpouring of love and support from the many people whose lives Mark impacted is a testament to the caliber of man he was.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey and Lanora Cummins; father-in-law Jim Perkins; father-in-law, Jack Nefzger; sister-in-law, Judy Cummins; and great-niece, Isabelle Cummins. He is survived by his sweetheart and wife, Deborah June Perkins Cummins; daughter, Brooke (Troy); son, Grant (Leah); son, Nick (Tobee); son, Logan (Linda); son, Nathan (Crystal); 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Terry (Sue), Allen (Sandra), and Daniel (Carla); and extended family.

Mark will be remembered as a pillar in his community, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, as well as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. The values he taught through example are his great legacy to his family and has shaped their lives and will continue through generations. He worked hard, loved deeply and gave generously.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 23709 Hwy. 30 in Murtaugh. A viewing will held from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, both at the church. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls. All who wish to attend are invited with social distancing. For those unable to attend in person, a live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available at the following link: https://youtu.be/ihzOEhnSkAY.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.

Condolences for Mark Stanley Cummins

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Jill Wornell :

Dear Debbie,
Paul and I were driving thru murtaugh, remembering you and Mark fondly, let’s try to stay connected!

From Ron Nelson:

I am so very sorry for your families loss. I work for Cummins Farms during the summers when i was in high school. Mark was a great guy and my thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family.
Ron Nelson

From Jannett Andersen Tucker:

Dear Debbie,
I am so sorry to hear of Mark's passing but happy for him to be free of his illness. If there is baking in heaven I bet that my mom has baked him something delicious! I loved growing up in Murtaugh and knowing and being friends with the Perkins and Cummins families made it a special place to be. My love and prayers will be with you and your family in the coming days and weeks ahead. Mark leaves a great legacy in his wonderful family and you, his dear wife. Much love,

From Verla Tipton.:

Debbie, I love you and Mark. He was always there with a smile and help. The writing pays a great tribute to Mark. He was blessed too to have you as his sweet wife and special companion. My prayers and love. Verla Tipton.

From Marva Nebeker Carter:

Debbie l am so sorry to hear that Mark has passed. Iam so hsppy you have the family and the community for the support through these trying times I will have in my thoughts and prayers alwsys.

From Jerri Tipton:

Sorry for your loss, Debbie and family. He was ... is... a great man! Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family!

From Kinley Buckley:

Mark Cummins Was A Real Great Person & He Was A Great Uncle I Am Going To Miss Mark Cummins A Lot I Loved Him So Much & I Am So Glad That He Was My Uncle I Would Like To Offer & Extend My Prayers, Thoughts, Condolences To Mark Cummins Wife Deb Cummins (My Aunt) & I Would Like To Offer & Extend My Prayers, Thoughts & Condolences To The Cummins Family & To My Family In Twin Falls & Murtaugh Who All Knew Mark Cummins & That Were Real Close To Mark Cummins

From Sharon Hoffman :

My prayers to all the family. Mark was a great guy words cant express how much he care for his family. Go in peace the angels are waiting

From Kathie Turner:

I lived on the ranch with Mark and it really was like a little family, a lot of good times.. Mark was a good man.

From Wade and Carol Quesnell:

Debbie, Wade and I send you and your family our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss. Growing up in Mutaugh, The Cummins family and The Perkins family were considered The Gott’s and The Quesnell’s extended family. You all played a special roll in our lives. It was a wonderful community to grow up in. A lot of great memories! May you find peace in knowing that Mark is with his lord and Savior, May you find comfort through your faith and the support of family and friends. God bless you!

From david grove:

i worked for the cummins family a few years ago and mark had his garden behind his house that was bigger than most peoples yards and he would come steal help from the shop to work his garden. that was his baby and he drag me around there fighting the weeds and the sweat would be pouring down our faces but he always had that smile and something humorous to say that would make me laugh even as my eyes were burning from the sweat! mark had dirt running through his veins and was a hardcore farmer even when retired! they say you cant take it with you but im sure mark took that garden of his to keep him busy!!

From Luke Scott:

I had the pleasure of working for Mark for 15 plus years. After getting to know Mark. He would
always had a smile on his face when he greeted me in the mornings of potatoe harvest. Mark was a great man.

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