Mark Bennett

Mark Anthony Bennett, age 65, of Ames, Iowa (formerly Marshalltown) passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the Israel Family Hospice House after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and there will be no memorial service. To send condolences, contact Mitchell Family Funeral Home at www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Mark was born on April 13, 1959, in Fort Dodge to Alfred (Benny) and Ardis Bennett. His father’s job brought them to Marshalltown when Mark was in middle school. There Mark and his brother, Tim, made many friends. Mark graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1977.

Mark’s love of hunting and fishing soothed his soul. He and Melody loved camping and boating over the years, making many friends who felt like family to them. Mark was a fish in water and loved swimming, whether it was in Rathbun Lake, on the many vacations at Table Rock Lake, or just playing with the grandkids and neighbor kids in his pool. Mark loved his work installing floor coverings … he said it was the finishing touches that meant so much to his customers. He was often personally requested for installations by the local flooring stores because he was a perfectionist in everything he did. Mark was also a talented hobby woodworker and an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan, but he cheered for the Cyclones when they weren’t playing Iowa.

Mark always said he had a great friend and teacher in his buddy Ron Smith. Hunting, fishing, and his many friendships left him with lots of stories and laughter, which he cherished.

Mark is survived by his wife of 25 years, Melody, and daughters Misty Brooks, Jennifer DeLeon, Courtney (Tom) Watson and Lacey (Kyle) Boege. He is survived by grandchildren Treshaun, Jaishaun and Isabella Brooks; Tori (Alberto) Morales; Mia and Jordan DeLeon; Chandler, Ashlyn and Ethan Watson; and Riah and Kysen Boege; great-grandchild Ezra Morales; and one more great-grandchild due in July. Other survivors are his brother Tim (Chris) Bennett of Marshalltown; brothers-in-law Phil (Cate) Lemke of Newton, David Lemke of Grinnell and Lyle (Mary) Lemke of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law Rose Long of Missouri; and many nieces and nephews and their families. He will be missed by his fur babies, Jaxson and Jewels. Mark was preceded in death by his parents Benny and Ardis, in-laws Ralph and Shirley Lemke, and great-granddaughter Amelia Morales.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Mark may be directed to the family for a later designation.

- Lovingly written by the family