Mark Kerper
July 31, 1954 - July 17, 2010

"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!"

"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 "

"Dear Ones, We are shocked and saddened to hear of Mark's accident. We send our love and prayers now and for the future."

"Karen, so sorry to hear about Mark. You and the girls are in my prayers. Sound like he was a great husband and father."

"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"

"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."

"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."

"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. "

"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."

"Together tonight and remembering the good times. We love and miss you. "

"Dear Karen, Shannon, and Mandy, May God surround you with His love. We will all miss Mark. "

"Shannon, so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you deal with this big loss."

"Sincere sympathy for your loss - Ron F. Garrett State Value Engineer/Manager Virginia DOT"

"I was so sorry to hear about Mark. I hope that you, Shannon & Mandy can be comforted by the massive amounts of love, support & prayers from your family & friends at this time. My thoughts & prayers are with you all."

"You will be missed, but not forgotten. "

"I am so sorry to hear of Mark's passing. I worked with Mark a short time on a technical committee and appreciated his enthusiasm and dedication. May God bless his family with peace."

"Karen and girls--you already know what a dear friend Mark was to me. Mine and Kim's thoughts and prayers are with you, and you can count on me for anything in the years ahead. I long ago lost track of the number of small Blues shows and arena concerts that Mark and I attended together, but the last one was in April as us two mid-50's rockers saw AC/DC together. As you know, Mark and I traveled England extensively together on two occasions, and I can think of no better person than Mark to have accompanied me on those trips. I remember when in London we had seen all of the 'touristy sights', but Mark was fascinated also with the architecture, road designs, road pavings, and of course he studied the English use of 'traffic roundabouts'. We had such a great time, and one of his unfulfilled wishes was for the four of us to go back there sometime. I have so many memories of Mark that I could fill this guest book. I'll leave you with one thing I know is true. Karen; you were the love of his life. Girls; No father could have been more proud of his daughters than he was of you both. He was a great friend, husband and father. Kim and I will miss him so much. "

"You will always be a part of me. I love you and will miss you very much. Rest in peace."

"Karen, Shannon and Mandy, Our thoughts and prayers are definately with you all. I have enjoyed working with Mark the last 12 years. He was definately a kind and compassionate person and he will be missed here at work. Tara and I will be thinking and praying for you and your family much. "

"Karen, Shannon, and Mandy, The Larson family is thinking about you and we are so sorry for what you are going through right now. It was always obvious to us how much Mark enjoyed and loved his family. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. "

"My heart felt sympathies to Mark's family and closest of friends. I knew Mark back in the 80's & early 90's before I left Ames. He always managed a big smile and hello to everyone he met. I remember those dimples and his crazy love of the Stones. He was a good, kind decent man indeed! "

" My thoughts and prayers are with you - Karen, Shannon and Mandy. While watching 10:00pm news on KCCI, I was absolutely stunned hearing that "Ames man, Mark Kerper killed". During the late 1970's through the early 1980's, I was manager of bar on Main Street, the Copper Dollar - 9 pool tables and a nightly mass of familiar faces as the Dollar was a haven of the ultimate "regulars" establishment. Mark and Karen were very much a part of the daily and nightly gathering off people who would quickly become friends. The Copper Dollar no longer exists, but, with the conversations I've had with Karen, as well as Kevin Green ..... those were the days, my friends. Now God has called upon his faithful gentleman and welcomed Mark to "that better place" that people speak of. There will be a time when Mark will be reunited with Karen, Shannon and Mandy as well as Mark's many friends and colleagues. Rest in peace, gentleman Mark. Someday ..... "

"To Karen and family, our thoughts and prayers are with yo and your family."

"Kerper Family, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Mark on joint research with the Iowa DOT, and he was always an insightful, positive influence. He will be greatly missed by many many here at ISU. Our prayers are with you."

"Mark, Was a great guy and will be missed. I am very sorry for your loss. We will keep your family in our prayers."

"To the Kerper family: We are so sorry for the sudden tragic loss of Mark's life. Please know that our prayers are with you as you struggle thru this difficult time. We grew up as neighbors in Sherrill and remember so many good times."

"Rest in Peace. "

"My sympathies to the entire Kerper family. I didn't know Mark personally but worked with his brother, Randy. Knowing Randy, I know how important spending time with family was. My prayers are with you all. "

"Karen and the girls! What a sad day, the world lost a great man! I always enjoyed my conversations with Mark. His knowledge of any topic was amazing. And his humor brought many people to his side to listen intently. Always great to be around!! God will have a special place for Mark! Bless you Karen, my heart goes out to you and your family!"

"Karen, Shannon and Mandy, I am so terribly sorry to hear of Mark's death. You are all in my prayers. Hang on to all of the good memories (and each other) through these hard days ahead. "

"Karen & family, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I enjoyed working with Mark over many years, when he was in the Design Office and most recently in OLE. Mark was always friendly and extremely helpful to me with many, many projects. May the Lord give you strength and comfort during this time."

"We are the parents of Bryan Birchard (Kristy Klein's boyfriend in Fairfield). She was at our home over the weekend when she got the news of Mark's accident. We are so sorry for this tragic and sudden loss. It is never easy to lose someone that way. May your family find peace and comfort in the days ahead. We will keep you in our prayers."

"Karen (and Shannon and Mandy) Life changes so quickly and often so drastically.... Mark and I spent many hours just talking and discussing the DOT and his (3) girls the weeks prior to my retirement. We talked of life's uncertainty and the need to make time to spend with family. We had planned for, and unfortunately had not managed to, get together for a beer following my retirement. It had not happened yet, I thought we had plenty of time.... I always enjoyed working with Mark, preparing for and attending public hearings while he was in Design. I was pleased when he ultimately became my supervisor and I continued to feel that way until my final day at the DOT. I'm glad I told him so before I left the office for the last time on May 27th. He is one of the few people I will miss. Please accept Lana's and my sympathy and the knowledge that Mark will be greatly missed. "

"I had to smile when I read in the obituary that your dad sat through countless dance recitals. Isn't that the truth! And I know he was so proud to watch his girls perform. You were his shining stars, and always will be."

"Mandy, Shannon & Karen, my memories of Mark are of a loving dad. I am so terribly sorry for this tragic loss. Thinking of you and sending hugs. Karen Hoiberg"

" My heartfelt sympathy to Mark's family. His sudden loss is difficult to understand, but believe that he passed quickly from your arms to God's. I worked as Mark's secretary for a few years at the DOT and enjoyed his sense of humor. He talked often of you, Karen, Shannon & Mandy. I'm glad he was able to travel and see and do many of the things he wanted to while he was alive. I'm saddened for those of us still here who will miss his jambalaya and funny ground hog stories. Mark left many happy memories. His life and death have taught me the valuable lesson to live life while it's ours to enjoy. "

"Karen, Shannon and Mandy You have our heartfelt sympathy. We remember Mark coming to Maquoketa with Steve on a hunting trip. Also, at Steve's home in Ames. May the memories of all the good times you shared help sustain you in the difficult days ahead."

"Retired DOT employee we share the same birthday, we worked in Rd. Design , shared buying donuts for coworkers on our birthday. It was a pleasure knowing you Mark. Lorraine"

"Karen, Shannon and Mandy, Melissa called and told me what happened. I cried at first, then smiled sitting in the Hy Vee parking lot. So many good times with Mark hunting,fishing and listening to music. I wish you peace and comfort. Mark has left vast positive impressions with his friends. He loved his girls, he loved his wife."

"Dave and I always enjoyed Mark's hunting visits. Dave especially is going to miss Mark. They have been friends since college and enjoyed so many of the same things. Listening to them go over their hunting strageties early in the morning tickled me. He was a good man and talked so proudly of his family. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. "

"Karen, Shannon, and Mandy, We were so shocked to hear of your husband and dad's terrible tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you through this extremely difficult time."

"My thoughts and prayers are with Mark's family. I enjoyed working with Mark, his professionalism and kind way. He will be missed but his spirit will be close at times to those who know him best. He is not with us but his spirit lives on. Someday we will meet again just as he is now reunited with his mother and other family members. May God bless his family with comfort and peace at this time. "

"To Mark's extended family, My heartfelt sympathies to you all on Mark's sudden passing. A terrible shock not only to you his family, but to all who knew him, and especially to his LARGE DOT FAMILY. I will always remember that great smile of his, his Patrick Swayze looks, and his kind, gentle heart. Look for all the pennies Mark will leave for you all saying he's still with you, but in a different place with no more pain in Heaven and 100% PEACE. If you have videos of him, make copies now; store in vault. Play them often when you are missing him; it's great to bring back their voices/laughter and watching their gestures and mannerisms. May Mark rest in PEACE. a retired secretary from Ames DOT headquarters"