Mark Ryckman was born on April 14, 1952 to Stew and Joy Ryckman. Mark grew up a happy boy from Poplar Street. His older brother Bob and sister Jan kept tabs on Mark and little sister Ronda. Always interested in cars, trucks, or motorcycles, he claimed his favorite toy was a 235 Chevy timing chain. After all, Synness' junkyard was next door!

Upon graduating in 1970 from Helena High, he attended Montana State University for two years. In 1972, Mark went to work at the East Helena smelter to get enough money to go back to college. He retired 30 years later! In those 30 years his life was pretty full and included 22 years on the East Helena Valley Fire Department, 26 years as an officer of Local 72 USWA. He married Linda Petek in 1981 and their marriage was full of activities which at the very least included cruises with multiple good friends. They bought the family cabin in 1985. Mark loved the place dearly! With Linda's death, Mark and faithful dog Toby ruled the road as the outside sales reps for Wendle Ford Parts. He and Toby met and married Lynae Garrick Reehl in 2010 and four short years later was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer that ended the Wendle job. Then in March 2014, Toby was suffering from dementia and had to be put to sleep. His marriage to Lynae brought three children, which of course became six with spouses and eventually 11 with the additions of five grandchildren-the joy of his life. He and Lynae enjoyed wintering in Parker, AZ for four years. Some of the highlights of his life were climbing the nose of the Sleeping Giant, scuba diving expeditions in Hawaii, Cancun, Cozumel, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and helping crew Chuck Roark's 7.0 Pro car. He loved rafting and enjoyed three trips on the Lochsa, two Smith River floats, but relaxing on the Missouri River was the best. He was a member of the National Hot Rod Association (1977) and Helena Streetrodders, enjoying the numerous hot rods he owned, the rod runs, shows and functions. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He would like to be remembered as a 'pretty good' hunter.

Mark's battle with prostate cancer ended peacefully on October 15, 2022. He was preceded in death by his father, Stewart John Ryckman, mother Joy Thelma Naylor Ryckman, and brother Robert (Bobby) Ernest Ryckman. He is survived by his wife Lynae, his sisters Jan Ryckman and Ronda (Ryckman) Mace (Mark), numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Lynae's three children, their spouses, and five grandchildren. Thank you to the medical community, all family, neighbors, and friends, too many to mention here, for your loving care of Mark. Donations in Mark's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society or Compassus Hospice. In honor of Mark, several car clubs are putting together a processional of classic cars behind the funeral party for all to enjoy.