Mark Randall Anderson

Mark Randall Anderson passed away April 11, 2017 in Des Moines, IA at the age of 62. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 16, 2017 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Ernst Funeral Home in Waukee, IA. Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 17, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale, IA. Interment to follow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Mark was born in Webster City, IA in 1955 to Elva and Calvin Anderson, Sr. He grew up in Woolstock, IA and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1973. Upon graduating he joined the Air Force as a security policeman, serving at Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster, MO. His duty was guarding minuteman missile silos. He was later was stationed at Nörvenich Air Base in Germany. It was there Mark earned the rank of sergeant. On July 19, 1975, Mark married his high school sweetheart, Cindy. They resided in Altoona, IA and had two sons, Tim and Nick. After leaving the Air Force, Mark attended AIB studying both accounting and computer programming and earned an Associate’s Degree. His career began at Eagle Iron Works in Des Moines where he was hired as a computer programmer. Beginning in 1987 he began employment with the United States Postal Service where he continued his career for 26 years and eventually retired from the USPS in 2013. Mark was an avid bowler. As such, every Tuesday morning was reserved for his bowling league. Additional passions include putting together jigsaw puzzles, collecting baseball cards and baseball hats, and cheering on the major Minnesota teams: Twins and Vikings. Every Sunday during NASCAR season, Mark could be found cheering on his favorite drivers: Dale Earnhardt Sr and Kevin Harvick. He attended many races throughout the years including the Iowa Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway. One of Mark’s greatest joys in life was being a doting grandfather to three grandchildren. After two grandsons he was ecstatic to have a granddaughter in the mix. Between his ever-expanding collection and those he began for his grandchildren, his house was never short of Matchbox cars and have slowly taken over his home office. During his life, Mark was a constant server in his community. He was skilled at finding ways to help others while also spending additional time with his sons by coaching soccer and becoming a Boy Scout leader. He spent weekends on the sidelines of soccer fields shouting plays and encouraging his team to do their best. Later that evening he would be camping in the middle of nowhere helping his scout troop earn their next set of badges. He also served as a church elder for several years. Mark is survived by his loving wife Cindy; children Tim (Amy) and Nick (Heather); grandchildren Tristan, Landon and Erin; father Calvin Sr.; and siblings Calvin Jr. (Joyce), Bruce (Patti), Mervin (Deb), Colleen Anderson and Becky (Bill) Sponsler. He was preceded in death by his mother Elva. Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to the Gloria Dei Honduras Mission Trip, c/o Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale, IA.