Wilmes, Mark 1956 - 2020

WILMES, TUCK, HENSHAW, BENNIGSDORF, THORNHILL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/30/2020 at 14:20:30

Mark Wilmes, age 64, of Calmar, IA died on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at his home after a long, courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar. Burial will be in the church cemetery in Calmar. The service will also be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/CFOSparishes

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday morning at the church. Everyone attending is asked to please wear a mask.

In Lieu of flowers: memorial can be sent to Kim Wilmes at 1904-256th Ave. Calmar, Iowa 52132 to be used for a scholarship fund in Mark's name.

Mark lived a beautiful, adventurous, fun filled life. He was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. “Brushy” (Fort Dodge’s version of Conover) is where he and his dog, Blacky, became best buddies and excellent BB gun hunters. He grew up loving the outdoors and adventure. Mark graduated from Ida Grove High School and took a solo six-week motorcycle trip across the country. When he returned home, he went to telephone communication school in Austin, MN (at his mother’s request), but he was always an electrician at heart. He then moved to Austin, TX. Mark’s first loves were math and electricity. He worked as an electrician on new construction in Texas and on the oil rigs in Oklahoma. He also worked for one year at Gomaco and travelled extensively. His crazy and funny stories from his time in Mexico were often told. When he came home for a brief visit he met the love of his life, Kim. Mark and Kim married on September 26, 1980 in Ida Grove and to this union were born John, Adam and Molly. Never have three kids been more loved or been taught to be more independent. From entire summer camping trips to competitive calculus classes together, Mark’s children were challenged and loved and taught to care for themselves and others. Mark’s dream job came when he graduated from ISU in 1987 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree and was hired by NICC in Calmar. Mark was a born teacher. He loved his job and he loved his students, staff, and fellow teachers. He always said “I’ll retire when they change the locks and forget to give me a key”. Mark was blessed with two loving and awesome daughters-in-law and an amazing son-in-law. He was always adored by his eleven grandchildren whom he loved with his whole heart. He loved South Winn Wrestling and baseball. He was the one who coined the phrase “100,000” watts of power” for the baseball team when the lights were installed at the field. He loved the Cubs and considered his dedication to them a “genetic defect” that he inherited from his dad. He loved the fine arts and the fact that his kids were involved. Mark loved to play pool and ride his motorcycles and later his bicycles. He was a collector, most notably of cameras, calculators, motorcycles and bicycles. His talent for standing on his head and drinking a beer was passed on to his children and his children-in-law. He was a private person but cared deeply about his family and friends. He had a deep faith and shared it with everyone he knew. Mark’s mantra was “don’t judge”.

Mark leaves behind his loving wife Kim and a beautiful legacy in his family. Sons: John (Jamie) Wilmes, Decorah, IA; Adam (Kylie) Wilmes, Omaha, NE. Daughter: Molly (Kory) Henshaw, Pierson, IA. Eleven grandchildren: Alex, Norah and Holden Wilmes; Stella, Mabel, Isabel and Emmett Wilmes; Kaylee, Ashlyn, Mara and Miles Henshaw. Brothers: Bill (Garnet) Wilmes, Loveland, CO; Dave (Connie) Wilmes, Roseville, MN; father-in-law: Darrell (friend, Judy Schimmer) Bennigsdorf, Ida Grove, IA. As well as nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, in-law and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Spec and Lois (Tuck) Wilmes. His younger brother: Jeff Wilmes. Mother-in-law: Marlene (Thornhill) Bennigsdorf.

Source: Schluter-Balik Funeral Home database

St. Aloysius Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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