Mark Allen Wierson

Mark Allen Wierson, born on January 6^th, 1956 in Red Oak, Iowa, died peacefully surrounded by his family on July 24^th, 2025 at the beautiful Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa after a valiant 3.5 year battle with cancer.

Growing up in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mark was a starting contributor to his class’s basketball teams throughout school, culminating in him playing college basketball at AIB and Simpson. Mark’s childhood friend and teammate owns the Marshalltown boys basketball assist record still to this day, allegedly because of Mark’s fast break running and skill off the wing.

As a proud family man, Mark was deeply committed to respecting and taking care of his mother after losing his father as a child. The day Mark ushered a beautiful 28-year-old stranger (Julia) up the aisle at his best friend’s wedding was the day he found the next woman to respect and take care of for the rest of his life, including nearly 44 years of marriage. His tender heart is best understood knowing that more than any other entertainment, he loved love stories on the Hallmark channel. His final days were spent with the comfort of the “Christmas in July” marathon, and even though he’s seen the entire Hallmark lineup multiple times over, you’d probably still find a tear of love in his eye at every ending.

Mark and Julia’s two sons, Wesley and Grant, endure with their dad’s love of hard work, a soft heart, a project done right so it only has to be done once, wood burning fireplaces, and golf. As a lifelong golfer starting as a caddy for $10 a round, he has a hole in one to his name and once shot a 68 on Day 1 of the Urbandale Golf and Country Club Tournament Championship. He was a long time Drake basketball season ticket holder with his brother and friends, and loved to take Wesley and Grant as kids. As a Loyal Son Forever True, Mark, Wesley (a graduate from ISU), and Grant held Iowa State Cyclone football season tickets together for the past 12 years, though he also enjoyed cheering on the Hawkeyes (Grant’s Alma mater).

Mark staked his claim as an investment and wealth management professional with a 45-year career across Des Moines financial institutions including Bankers Life (now Principal Financial Group), National Travelers Life Company, BTC Capital Management, and US Bank.

Mark was also committed to public service in his spiritual life and for his community. He was a regular attendant of church throughout his life and involved as a Sunday school teacher and building and grounds committee member. He served over 12 combined years on the Urbandale Education Foundation and the Urbandale Board of Education, which gave him the opportunity to proudly award his two sons on stage with their high school diplomas.

He was preceded in death by his father Clifford, his mother Nola, and his beloved lapdogs Misty, Yoshi, and Max. He is survived by his wife Julia, his brother Craig (Fran), multiple cherished nephews and nieces, and his sons Wesley (Miranda) and Grant (Lauren), along with three grandchildren (Ivy, Maverick, and Ash) that were the sunshine of his life during this final battle.

A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Waukee (900 S Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA 50263) on Saturday, August 2^nd at 11:00am, followed by a celebration of Mark’s life and legacy, of course at Urbandale Golf and Country Club, following the service from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or EveryStep Kavanagh House.