"Rest in peace, Uncle Mark. I will miss your smile and jovial presence, and never forget your playfulness during my childhood. Love, Nick."
In loving memory of
Mark Flanders
December 8, 1950 - October 25, 2022
MARK FLANDERS
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Mark Flanders, 71, of Muscatine, passed away on October 25, 2022, at his home.
A Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m., Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at St. Mathias Church. The Reverend Andrew Rauenbuehler will be officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will follow burial at Gannon Hall.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.wittichfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to The Family of Mary.
Mark was born on December 8, 1950 in Iowa, the son of Bernard and Lucille Wiesner Flanders. He married Kay Selvig on September 23, 2005 in Muscatine.
Mark was a fun loving person who greatly enjoyed entertaining family and friends, cooking and making special treats. He enjoyed playing games, especially cards. His friendliness and joyful spirit were an encouragement to everyone he met. Mark had various jobs over the years and was known for his home improvement skills and keeping an immaculate lawn. But the most meaningful areas of Mark's life involved living his faith through actions. It really started 26 years ago when he made the commitment to attend Mass daily. That commitment changed his life in so many ways. It led him to things like serving the Knights of Columbus as Grand Knight for several years. Sponsoring new members of the Church through the RCIA program. Being an important part of the church's Light of the World retreats. Conducting weekly communion services at the Lutheran Living facility. Teaching Religious Education classes and singing in the choir at times. Making hundreds of rosaries for military personnel. Being faithful in praying and attending Adoration. Mark was a longtime member of a prayer group and enjoyed many pilvacs (Pilgrimage/vacations) with the group and others. Mark's faith and friendships have made a difference in so many lives.
Mark is survived by his wife, Kay; siblings Linda Powell of Colorado Springs, Susan Sivinananda and her husband Nathan of Mt. Shasta, California, Denise Smith and her husband Johnny of Nichols, and Joseph Flanders and his wife Joan of Muscatine; along with many Godchildren, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille in 2019 and Bernard in 2005.
We will miss Mark immensely but the fruits of his life will continue to encourage many.
DEO GRATIAS! THANKS BE TO GOD!
Tributes
"So blessed to know Mark?what a light?well done my good and faithful servant?Love and Peace to the entire family??????The Paetz Kids"
"Mark was a great man, may he Rest In Peace."
"My Heartfelt sympathy to Kay and the entire family... "
"Mark was a special guy. He was always friendly and had an infectious smile. My deepest sympathies to his family. Rest In Peace, Mark"
"I met Mark in the 70?s and enjoyed his friendliness through out the years. He was consistently good and kind, always considerate. My deepest sympathy to his family, it?s a great loss. May you feel the Lord?s presence in your time of grief. "
"What a wonderful man who lived a wonderful life. It?s so clear to see that he has blessed; a beautiful wife in every way, a big loving family and many many friends. I am so sorry about his pain the last months of his life! My heart goes out to you all; he?s irreplaceable, however God knew it was time to call him home. Gina Rhodes "
"Rick Brecht on Nov 2nd 2022 I knew through my older siblings. Really nice guy. His smile would light up a room. I ran into him at the Knights of Columbus State Convention in 2006 in Des Moines. Had a great talk with him. Had just found out he was a Knight. Had my picture taken with him. I called the picture " Bernie and Iver " after our Dads who were good friends for years. He has been a great example to all Knights of what a Knight should be. Including me. My sympathies to Kay and Mark's siblings, nieces and nephews. Rest well Brother Knight. Your Lord and Savior awaits you. "
"My deepest sympathies, Kay and Flanders family. Mark, what a great guy. Mark and I put a lot of miles on our bikes in the mid 60's riding all over town. I would see him at the Hotel and Mississippi brewing when I came back to town. He never forget our friendship What a wonderful family, Bernard and Lucille. Denise Sue Linda and Joe. There were lots of great memories. Mark will be greatly missed. Wishing you peace, your friend Ed"
"Mark's smile and easy bonhomie will be dearly missed by those of us lucky enough to have known him. Our hearts go out to the Flanders family. Chris and Tenley Oberhaus"
"Mark-- I remember those in our grade school class- we have many great memories-- and many of them have also passed. Now that you are in heaven, you can say hi to them-- and let them that I pray for you and them daily-- Doug Kochneff, the Guck twins, Tim Dwyer, Connie Aull.. We will miss you greatly Mark-- and prayer for your family...txs...harry Koch.."
"Mark was so happy and full of life! I loved his love for Jesus, his love for Kay, and how his personal mission was to leave everyone better off than when he came across them (even just in passing by). His smile was contagious :) His laughter spread far and wide everywhere he went. Kay and Mark have helped me in lots of ways, and I strongly suspect many others can say the same. Whenever I lost focus in anger of different situations or people, they would nudge me back to what really mattered & who?s always in control, God the Father and His only Son, Jesus Christ! I love you Kay & Mark. Mark will be greatly missed, but?? We will see him again! ;) "
"I have such fond memories of Mark as a loving, positive person - with the best smile ever! I send my sympathies to his wife and all of his family."
"As with the recognized saints, Mark set an example of what a Catholic Christian ought to be by his attention to living the Gospel values. Having sung with Mark and Kay in choir, accompanied his wife Kay as cantor, and listened to his presentation at a Light of the World retreat, I can say there are many positive things about his life that I will remember. My condolences and prayers to Kay and the rest of their family."
"Dear Kay, You have always been a part of our hearts. We are sending you prayers of comfort at this time. Kevin and Lori Hubbard"
"My deepest sympathy to all the Flanders family. May the memories of Mark light your way during this difficult time."
"Kay and the Flanders Family We are so sorry to hear about Mark's passing. His smile, charisma and sense of humor always brought laughter into the room and he will be deeply missed. Mark introduced Barb Tutt and me 41 years ago last month at the Mississippi Brewing company and will be forever grateful to him. Mark and I also work for over a decade together at North Star Steel and he was a pleasure to work with. RIP Mark. Eric and Barb Evenson"
"Kay, We are so sorry to hear of Mark's passing. We had prayed for him and you as you went through this journey together. Please know that we will continue to pray for you as you go through this new journey. We pray for God's comfort for you. Love, Bob and Debbie Arndt "
"Dear Kay: What a great loss for all of us. My deepest sympathy to you and all of his family. Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you.x"
"Oh Kay, I am so so sorry. I truly believed God would give him more time, but God has a better plan for him. If you need a friend to talk to. Please call me at 563-299-7398. "
"Mark will be greatly missed by so many! Such a kind and loving man who always had a smile for everyone. May he Rest In Peace. ??????????"
"I remember Mark when he worked at the Mall in the clothing store near 1st National Bank where I worked. He was always so nice and friendly. He was a blessing to know. May God give you comfort at this difficult time. "
"My thoughts and prays to all of Mark's loved ones. He was a wonderful guy."
"Aunt Kay, so sorry to hear about Mark. I know you had such a beautiful heart connection and love for each other. Hugs and love to you. "
"Mark was such a kind soul. He was so loving, he loved God immensely, and he was always there to share God?s love with everyone. My prayers for Kay and the rest of Mark?s family. May you find peace and comfort through God in this time. God Bless. "
"I am sending my deepest condolences to Mark's wife Kay & the rest of his family. I spoke with Mark a couple of times in the last month of his life. I have never met a more loving person in my life! We became good friends back in the 70's & enjoyed some great times. Mark visited my Mother from time to time & we stayed in touch thru the year. I pray he is at Peace! Love Ya Man!"
"So sorry to see this.. Mark was such a wonderful man. Thru the years, I often caught up with him & caught up on what was going on. He gave me a wonderful lifetime of memories.. He was a true blessing. R.I.P. "
"Kay, Brian and I were so privileged to have visited you and Mark with the Garvins last month. He was always so kind and friendly in our school years. What a good man, and faithful brother in Christ! I am proud to have known him! Gratefully, Mary Lynn Gaffney "
"Thank you Mark for a lifetime of great memories and laughs that I will cherish forever. You will be missed so much by so many people. God bless you my friend."
"Wonderful guy! May he rest in peace. Joe Blaesing"
"Sharing in your sorrow and holding fond memories close. Wishing you peace in this time of sadness. With love and friendship. Jeni Kautz-McKee"
"May Mark rest in peace and find joy in reuniting with family and friends who have gone before him. So sorry."
"My deepest sympathies to all the Flanders family. May God rest his soul."
"My heart is broken for all of you. We were all lucky to have had Mark in our lives. He will be missed. Hugs to you all. Sarah Aavang"
"So sorry to hear of Marks passing, one of the good guys, may he rest in peace..."