Mark Kerper age 55, of Ames, Iowa died Saturday, July 17, 2010 in an automobile accident in Dubuque County, Iowa. Gathering of friends and family will be 4:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday, July 22, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Friday, July 23, at First United Methodist Church in Ames, Iowa. Burial will be at a later date.
Mark was born July 31, 1954 in Sherrill, Iowa the son of Anthony and Iola Jaeger Kerper. He graduated from Dubuque Wahlert High School; he then attended Loras College and University of Wisconsin-Platteville before coming to Iowa State University and getting his degree in Civil Engineering in 1977. He married Karen Allen on July 12, 1980 in Ames, Iowa. The couple lived in Ames where Mark was a Civil Engineer, PE at Iowa Dept. of Transportation in Ames, starting in 1977. Mark had several hobbies including hunting, fishing, cooking, gardening, listening to the Rolling Stones and enjoying time with his wife and two daughters and other family members. He also sat through countless dance recitals, gymnastics meets, and UNI and ISU football games.
Mark is survived by his wife Karen of Ames, daughters, Shannon and Mandy both of Ames, his father, Anthony Kerper of Sherrill, twin sister, Marilyn (Rick) Klein of Dubuque, brothers, Randy (Marsha) Kerper of Altoona, and Russ (Julie) Kerper of Dubuque, and Father in-law, Robert Allen of Ames, sisters in-law, Marce Allen, and Christine (Charles) Baxter, and brother in-law Steven (Lisa) Allen,
He was preceded in death by his mother Iola, and a sister Kathy Feldman.
Memorials may be directed to the family or Food at First.
On Line Condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.
Karen, I was shocked to hear of Mark's accident. You have my deepest sympathies and are in my thoughts and prayers. Gods blessings to all of you!
Posted By: Liz Cryder Anderson, former coworker of Karen - on July 26, 2010
Dear Karen, Shannon, Mandy,
Corky,Marilyn, Randy, Russell,
We are sending our sincere sympathy to all of you. We were so sorry to hear of Mark's tragic accident. We are not able to make it to the sevices, but you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do!!
God Bless you,
Karen & Lou
Posted By: Karen Tapke& Lou Morris (cousin and aunt) - on July 23, 2010
Dear Ones, We are shocked and saddened to hear of Mark's accident. We send our love and prayers now and for the future.
Posted By: Ruth Allen Nicholls, Karen's aunt - on July 23, 2010
Karen, so sorry to hear about Mark. You and the girls are in my prayers. Sound like he was a great husband and father.
Posted By: Karla Bell Totten - on July 22, 2010
Karen, Shannon, Mandy, Corky and Family...
Please know that our hearts are very heavy and filled with sadness due to Mark being taken from your lives.
Words expressed and gestures made during this very emotional time in your lives will not seem comforting...but they will as time passes. All know...that some people touch the lives of others in wonderful ways through their presents, actions and friendship. Mark is one of those people...I'll refrain from using the term "was" because Mark will continue to live through Karen, Shannon and Mandy and he will always remain in our thoughts and hearts. Mark is and intelligent caring soul with the sprint of a Rolling Stone...God speed your healing.
Mary,Gary Summers
and Family
Posted By: Aunt and Uncle - on July 22, 2010
We were very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Mark. We know Mark is happy in heaven now being reunited with his mother, sister, niece, and many aunts and uncles. We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Posted By: Steve Kerper - cousin - on July 22, 2010
To the family and friends of Mark Kerper.
I first met Mark in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It was his first meeting with the AASHTO Technical Committee on Environmental Design. He was representing the Iowa DOT and he performed very well in this capacity. The character of Mark will always be a lasting memory for me. Beneath all of the DOT shop talk, he had a great desire to share his love about his family. Even though he was in Idaho, his heart was with his family in Iowa. You could tell that he was a family man. We also had great joy discussing our favorite music as well. We shared the same taste in music. He always had a quiet and calm demeanor about himself. And he was always spontaneous with his humor. He will be missed on this national committee in which he served on. He will be remembered as a great example for being a public servant. That is a rare thing in society today. We all were blessed for knowing Mark and I thank God for this.
Posted By: Tim Stark - Fellow Colleague on the AASHTO Technic - on July 22, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kerper Family in their time of great sorrow. Know that Mark is at peace and wrapped in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Posted By: Nancy, Sarah and Jenny Chartier - on July 22, 2010
Karen and daughters,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I worked for Mark for 6 years and I learned much from him on how to work well with others even in times of stress and turmoil. He was a caring and fair supervisor. I was also fortunate to get to know him personally and greatly enjoyed our discussions of ISU sports and rock n roll music. He was a super person.
Posted By: Dan Martens - former DOTer - on July 22, 2010
Together tonight and remembering the good times. We love and miss you.
Posted By: Randy and Marsha, Russ and Julie-brothers and thei - on July 22, 2010
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