Mark William Langdorf of Helena, MT passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on July 7th, 2024, at age 70.

Mark was born on April 19th, 1954, the son of Alice and George Langdorf, and raised in Helena, MT on Hauser Boulevard. He was a Montana mountain man through and through. Growing up with the most extravagant sandbox in the neighborhood, and Mount Helena in his backyard, Mark made all of Helena his playground. He attended 1st grade in the inaugural year of C.R. Anderson Elementary School. Later the family moved to Chatham Township, New Jersey where he attended middle school, then moved once more and graduated class of 1972 from Arvada West High School in Arvada, Colorado. Continuing his education, he attended Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado to pursue a Petroleum Engineering Degree.

Shortly thereafter, Mark decided to take his knowledge and skills to Chicago, where he helped build tunnels for the Chicago Subway System. Heeding the call of the West he returned to Denver, Colorado and began his tenure in mining, oil, and gas. This career took him offshore drilling in Alaska and California, as well as seismic exploration for oil and gas in Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nevada, Colorado, Arkansas, and Texas. This career was capped with a year and a half of underground mining for molybdenum, an alloy used in the production of steel for mechanical components. On July 2nd 1983 , as fate would have it, he married the love of his life Sharon. Living together in Empire, Colorado Mark began his venture as owner-operator of Jail Kitchens Inc. A catering service that provided meals for three county jails, three times a day for 365 days a year. There he earned his self-proclaimed title of the "Spam King".

After the birth of their daughter Lisette, Mark and Sharon moved their new family back to his hometown of Helena, Montana in 1989. Soon after Mark and Sharon had their son Timothy in 1992. Mark then began a new career as a union labor negotiator with MPEA for the State of Montana, Public, County, and Municipal Employees. He spent twenty years in service negotiating contracts, wages, and benefits for the working people of Montana, traveling to every corner of the state, advocating for workers rights and meeting new friends along the way.

Upon retirement Mark did not slow down his service to the community and others. With his dog Gus in the passenger seat, he serviced first aid stations for local businesses and rural communities, inspected lease returns of certified used Toyotas and vehicle insurance claims adjustments. However, his real prize was his hotdog cart, "Mustard's Last Stand", serving parades, farmers markets, weddings, fairs, or anybody who was hungry and in need.

Mark enjoyed keeping active during any free time he had. Growing up he was an avid skier, sharing the slopes with his family and anyone who could keep up. Among skiing you could also find Mark hiking, camping, birding, fishing or exploring National Parks and wilderness areas. He was a passionate traveler often taking his family with him wherever he went, whether that was a surprise motorcycle ride to Canada, a cruise to Alaska or taking the Amtrak on Highway 2. During the spring Mark would be a fervent gardener, faithfully watering and caring for his flowers and vegetables. When he wasn't in the mountains, you could find him playing a game of cribbage, poker or pinochle, or catching up on the latest basketball or football game with friends and family. He frequently attended local live music concerts and was a devoted guest of the Helena Symphony. If you've ever had the pleasure of experiencing Mark's food, you'd know he was an enthusiastic cook, and much like the way he lived his life, he applied love and care into every dish with an expert hand. Mark believed in compassionate participation in public service to his community, as a dedicated volunteer Firefighter and EMT, and an outspoken Board member on multiple agencies including the Lewis and Clark Rural Fire Council, Forestvale Cemetery, and Evergreen Estates Road Improvement.

Mark always had a smile and greeting for all that he encountered, and he was a happy and joyful person who lived each day with humor, kindness, gentleness, love and gratitude.

Mark is survived by his wife Sharon of 41 years, his daughter Lisette Hofer (Philip), grandson Wyatt of Choteau, MT, and son Timothy of Missoula, MT.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, July 15, 2024, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, 3580 North Benton Avenue, Helena.

Interment to follow on a future date.

Any memorials may be shared with Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, or Lewis and Clark Humane Society.

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.