Obituary of SMSgt Mark Harry Onken, US Air Force, Ret.

Mark H. Onken was born in Carroll, Iowa on July 20, 1964 as the 5th son of William T. and Sylvia M. (Ortner) Onken. He grew up in Pocahontas, Iowa and graduated in 1982, he then joined the United States Air Force in 1986 where he reached the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, serving in this capacity until he retired from the military in April of 2010. He served in the Middle East during Desert Shield and Desert Storm and multiple other overseas deployments. He received numerous accommodations, medals and coins as demonstrated by his assentation in command. During this period, he married Susan J. Sturm of Glendale, Arizona. He was blessed with three children, Jesse, Josh, and Lyndsey, all of whom continue to reside in Peyton, Colorado. Mark followed his United States Air Force career as a civil servant by working at the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and most recently, at Cheyenne Mountain, as of the date of his death on October 18, 2022. Mark's death was sudden and unexpected. Mark embodied dedicated service to his country, his family, his fellow servicemen and women and to his parents. He was a source of great honor to his family, a good neighbor, a friend to countless people, and a rabid Iowa Hawkeye fan. Many Saturdays were spent in front of the large screen TV watching his favorite team, though remotes, plates, chairs, and other observers were at risk of injury should the Hawkeyes underperform. He loved to fish, especially in the early dawn, and he read every Stephen King novel. Mark organized the Onken family gatherings (Thanksmas) and with his imaginary �brother' George reeked joyful havoc on all. Treasured memories include Jesse, Lyndsey and Mark's annual outing to the Labor Day hot air balloon liftoff, Mark and Josh �s Boy Scout activities of car derby and camping, and every Father's Day when Jesse, Josh and Lyndsey took Mark fishing. The weekend family dinner was particularly special, with each family member sharing one good thing that happened that week. He was preceded in death by Gary (Susie) Onken of Plover, Iowa; and his father, William T. Onken. Mark is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Jesse, Josh, and Lyndsey; his Mother, Sylvia of Pocahontas, Iowa; his sisters, Marirose (John) Johnson of Marcus, Iowa, Karen (Randy) Wiese of Ashland, Nebraska; brothers, Steven (Tetsu) Onken of Kansas City, Missouri, Russell (Rebecca) Onken of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Michael (Patricia) Onken of Williamsburg, Iowa, and Patrick (Julie) Onken of Norwalk Iowa. Memorial Service, 10:00AM, Friday, November 18, 2022, Peterson Air Force Base Chapel - 455 Vincent Street, Bldg. 1410, Colorado Springs, CO 80914. Father Don will officiate the service. Full Military Honors, 1:00PM, Friday, November 18, 2022, Peak Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80925. In lue of flowers, etc., the family requests to please donate to Mark family's GoFundMe account. Site: Fundraiser by Jacob Sargent : Honoring Mark Onken (gofundme.com) Events Memorial Service Friday, November 18, 2022 10:00AM Peterson Air Force Base Chapel 455 Vincent St, Bldg 1410 Colorado Springs, CO 80914 Phone: 719-328-1793 Graveside Friday, November 18, 2022 1:00PM Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925 Phone: 202-632-8035