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StaffLife Story Funeral Director
marknaas@lifestorynet.com
Mark Naas was a typical little boy, playing sandlot baseball, football, or any other game that involved a ball, throwing, or kicking. But unlike most kids, Mark also had a naturally inquisitive mind, and a curiosity about the world around him.
Mark was the fourth of five children born to his parents in Battle Creek, Michigan. Always a lover of science, his favorite part of school was participating in the science fair. His interest in the funeral profession began at the age of 12. At St. Joseph School, Mark was sometimes excused from class to be an altar boy during a funeral Mass. Sometimes he would continue on to the cemetery, where he would ask the funeral director an endless list of questions.
After one of these Q & A sessions, a somewhat frustrated funeral director said, "Mark, please come to the funeral home on Saturday, and I will show you everything." Sure enough, Mark showed up, spending hours getting all the answers he could. From that day forward, Mark knew what he wanted to do with his life.
The following summer Mark began working for the funeral home, doing yard work and cleaning. He continued to work there through his years at Lakeview High School, until his graduation in 1973. Not hesitating to pursue his dream career, Mark immediately began classes at Kellogg Community College and Ferris State University before completing his mortuary science training at the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science.
While a student in Dallas, Mark gained experience for his career both in and out of the classroom. He earned money working for Baylor University Medical Center in the Department of Surgery. Here, he would often rub shoulders with skilled surgeons, whom he credits with teaching him a great deal about life and death.
Mark has worked as a funeral director for over 25 years, yet his enthusiasm for the job continues to grow. He is always ready to learn new things to help better serve the families he meets: "I see my profession as a constantly changing and integral part of society, and those of us who deal with human mortality on a daily basis need to lead the way in inventing methods to help our society understand and cope with the many aspects of grief."
Since becoming a part of the Life Story Network®, Mark has found his job all the more rewarding. "When meeting with families," he says, "I feel confident that no matter what their individual backgrounds may be, (Life Story Network® gives me) the tools and facilities to help them explore their emotions and discover together what is needed for them to 'celebrate' the life and love they shared with the deceased."
Mark recently joined the staff at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, after three successful years with the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home in Plainwell. He brings a wealth of Life Story® expertise to the Dykstra table, having worked so closely with the Life Story founders at RDMG.
Mark takes his responsibilities as a funeral director very seriously, but when he is not working he enjoys spending time outdoors with his son, Evan. They share a home in Plainwell with their dog, Mr. Mike.
Mark was the fourth of five children born to his parents in Battle Creek, Michigan. Always a lover of science, his favorite part of school was participating in the science fair. His interest in the funeral profession began at the age of 12. At St. Joseph School, Mark was sometimes excused from class to be an altar boy during a funeral Mass. Sometimes he would continue on to the cemetery, where he would ask the funeral director an endless list of questions.
After one of these Q & A sessions, a somewhat frustrated funeral director said, "Mark, please come to the funeral home on Saturday, and I will show you everything." Sure enough, Mark showed up, spending hours getting all the answers he could. From that day forward, Mark knew what he wanted to do with his life.
The following summer Mark began working for the funeral home, doing yard work and cleaning. He continued to work there through his years at Lakeview High School, until his graduation in 1973. Not hesitating to pursue his dream career, Mark immediately began classes at Kellogg Community College and Ferris State University before completing his mortuary science training at the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science.
While a student in Dallas, Mark gained experience for his career both in and out of the classroom. He earned money working for Baylor University Medical Center in the Department of Surgery. Here, he would often rub shoulders with skilled surgeons, whom he credits with teaching him a great deal about life and death.
Mark has worked as a funeral director for over 25 years, yet his enthusiasm for the job continues to grow. He is always ready to learn new things to help better serve the families he meets: "I see my profession as a constantly changing and integral part of society, and those of us who deal with human mortality on a daily basis need to lead the way in inventing methods to help our society understand and cope with the many aspects of grief."
Since becoming a part of the Life Story Network®, Mark has found his job all the more rewarding. "When meeting with families," he says, "I feel confident that no matter what their individual backgrounds may be, (Life Story Network® gives me) the tools and facilities to help them explore their emotions and discover together what is needed for them to 'celebrate' the life and love they shared with the deceased."
Mark recently joined the staff at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, after three successful years with the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home in Plainwell. He brings a wealth of Life Story® expertise to the Dykstra table, having worked so closely with the Life Story founders at RDMG.
Mark takes his responsibilities as a funeral director very seriously, but when he is not working he enjoys spending time outdoors with his son, Evan. They share a home in Plainwell with their dog, Mr. Mike.
