Mark Andrew Van Stee, 47, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 19, 2025.

Mark was born on May 27, 1978, in Grand Rapids, to Ruth (Van Houten) and Donald "Duff" Van Stee. Growing up in Grand Rapids, Mark attended Oakdale Christian School, and is a 1996 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School. After high school, Mark went on to Calvin College, and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education, Math, and History in 2001. While at Calvin, Mark spent a semester studying in Denia, Spain, and student taught at South Christian High School. Mark earned his master's degree in Educational Technology from Grand Valley State University in 2011.

Mark was an avid golfer. He began golfing with his dad at a young age, biking with a few clubs to Indian Trails Golf Course regularly to practice and improve his game. During middle and high school he continued to play, becoming a member of the varsity golf team at Christian High. Once at Calvin College, Mark played #1 all four years, and was three-time MIAA All-Conference and a two-time captain. He finished golf at Calvin with the second lowest score in Calvin's history.

After graduating, Mark moved to Escondido, California, where he taught at Calvin Christian High School and coached girls' volleyball. In 2003, Mark returned to Grand Rapids and began his teaching career at South Christian High School. While at South, Mark coached freshman boys' basketball, girls' varsity golf, and boys' varsity golf. Mark taught various subjects, including economics, social studies, and math, and served as the Dean of Students for 10 years. Mark loved announcing the football games, giving out pictures of himself to students as prizes, and sharing words of wisdom to help students in their learning. While kids were a joy of his work, he also loved the many close friends he made at South, who became like family as they spent time in the teacher lounge sharing a cup of coffee and telling stories about their day.

During the summers, Mark worked on the paint crew with his dad's painting company, learning the ins and outs of the trade under Duff's leadership. He eventually became a partner in the business. As the summers went on, he and his dad grew even closer. His dad was not only a mentor but also became his best friend. They would often talk late into the night about their plans for the next day, and would assign tasks like picking up specific paint colors and being sure to get donuts from Van's. The paint crew was a true brotherhood for Mark, and they shared so many traditions that he loved: the Homerun Derby, Paint Golf Outings, the end-of-the-year family picnics, and many weddings and celebrations.

In the spring of 2004, Mark met Kristen Fergus through mutual friends, and from the start it was clear that they were meant for each other. They were engaged at Christmastime in 2008, and five years to the day of their first date, they were married on June 13, 2009, at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Eastern became their church home, where together they led the Middle School Youth Group, baptized their three children and Mark later served as an Elder.

More than anything, Mark always wanted to be a dad. His three children, Aleigha (14), Anneka (11), and Kade (9), have been the light of his life. He often would share stories with others of family camping trips or spending time at their cottage in Frankfort. He loved to go on bike rides with his kids, and enjoyed attending their games and performances to cheer them on. He delighted in sharing his strong faith in Jesus with his children, and in seeing their faith grow through his example.

Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rose and Herman Van Houten and Trudy Van Stee. A devoted husband, father, son, and brother, Mark will be lovingly missed by his surviving family members including: his parents, Ruth (Van Houten) and Donald "Duff" Van Stee; his wife of 16 years, Kristen (Fergus) Van Stee; his children, Aleigha, Anneka, and Kade Van Stee; brother John (Amy) Van Stee, brother Dirk (Chastity Del Moral) Van Stee, sister Elizabeth (Tim) Klingbeil; nieces and nephews Will Van Stee, Grant Van Stee, and Lena and Grace Klingbeil; grandfather, Jack Van Stee; mother- and father-in-law, Sheri and Ben Fergus; sister- and brother-in-law, Kelly and Matt Jackson; niece Abigail Jackson, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to support Christian education for Aleigha, Anneka, and Kade Van Stee. Checks should be made out to Grand Rapids Christian Schools and mailed to 2400 Plymouth Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Please write "VanStee Children" in the memo line or donations can be made online at https://www.grcs.org/support-us/vanstee .