Mark E. Lewerke

Mark E. Lewerke, 56, of Garner, Iowa, lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, in Mason City, Iowa, while holding his wife’s hand.

  Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church, 1310 Highway 18 E., with Pastors Eric Williams and Haddon Anderson officiating.

  Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, at the  Garner Evangelical Free Church (New Life Ministry), 580 Highway 18 E., and will continue one hour prior to services at the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mark Lewerke Memorial Fund in care of the family.

  Mark was born Dec. 1, 1958, in Britt, Iowa, to Jerry and Darlene “Pat” (Rapp) Lewerke.  He graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1977 and Mercy Des Moines in 1986 as a paramedic.  He was united in marriage to JoAnn C. Miller on Aug. 30, 1980, in Belmond, and they made their home in Garner, Spirit Lake, Prescott, Az. and Chino Valley, Az.

He spread his 32 year Emergency Medical Service career amongst Garner Volunteer Ambulance Service, Dickenson County Memorial Hospital, and finally with Clear Lake Fire Department as a Paramedic/Fire Fighter 1, until his death.  The friendships he acquired with the EMS, Fire, and Law Enforcement realm were very special to him, often talked about and a great source of joy in his life. He shared countless conversations and cups of coffee with these great men and women, who also were so giving of themselves to their careers. He always said that being a Paramedic is not a job, but a “calling.”

Mark was a member of the Garner E-Free Church.  His faith in the Lord was very important to Mark and his wife and this was his primary source of strength during hard times, especially this past year. Mark loved carpentry and worked as a general contractor for over 35 years, both independently and with his father and brother.  He proudly built over 50 homes and was in the process of remodeling his personal home when he passed. Mark was always there to help his family and friends with carpentry projects, building race cars or whatever else was needed.

Mark’s favorite hobby was auto racing from the days of watching his father race, to racing go-karts as a kid, having his own modified car, and helping his brother.  Two of his most memorable racing events were getting Rookie of the Year in 1990 and watching his brother win the 2006 IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters, riding his Harley, learning to play guitar, morning coffee with the guys, annual trips to Fort Myers Beach with JoAnn, and truck rides with Reagan (his dog).

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, of 35 years; two daughters, Sarah (Joe) Hejna, of Garner, and Andrea (Jared) Cutshall, of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two grandchildren, Linley and Brynn Hejna; father, Jerry (Susan) Lewerke, of Garner; brother, Rich (Tasha) Lewerke, of Mason City; grandmother, Esther Rapp, of Garner; parents-in-law, Paul and Carol Miller; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; and his dog, Reagan.

Mark was a loving husband, father, grandpa and friend to many.

       Those waiting for him in Heaven at the pearly gates are his mother, Pat; sister, Marne; and other close family and friends.

A special thank you to all the family and friends who have lent a hand with construction projects in the last year.  All the visits that he had with family and friends during his last days will be forever treasured.

 Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of arrangements.