Larry David Mark

"Writing an obituary can be difficult. How do you sum up a life in a few paragraphs?" What understatements these are! How to sum up the "dash" between the birth and death of a beloved husband, father, friend when there aren't words enough to express everything in hearts that ooze fresh tears when we think of him? Larry David Mark's heart gave out after a long fight of many years to live. He loved life. He loved his wife of 58 years, Mary. He loved his children, Steve and Cindy (Nelson). He loved their spouses, Jenny and Israel. And he loved his grandchildren, carrying them around (in photo form) everywhere to show off to friends and strangers. Larry loved his upbringing on a dairy farm in Iowa, his alma mater, Iowa State University, his army buddies when he was drafted for two years during the Korean War. He loved his job of 35 years with the United States Department of Agriculture as a journalist. He loved writing - he wrote letters; he wrote newsletters; he wrote annual Christmas letters; he wrote anthologies of history for fun; and he wrote "My Daughter Said She'd Burn This Book" (available on Amazon), a collection of anecdotes, funny meditations and musings about life. He loved soccer, and was a coach, league director, and fan of the Springfield Youth Club long after his own kids were grown. He loved gardening - in his backyard and on a small rented plot. He loved coffee and the crossword puzzle from the Washington Post, sudoku puzzles to keep his mind sharp (which didn't work as well as he'd hoped), and Asian food. He loved cooking because he loved food. He loved Greensprings where he spent his last years.

Larry didn't just love; he was also loved by many. He was preceded in death by his dedicated parents, the Iowan farmers, Lawrence and Mildred Mark. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Mark, by his two children and their spouses who love him so much: Steve & Jenny Mark and Cindy & Israel Nelson, by his 11 grandchildren -- Teagan and Elektra Mark (13 & 10); Noah, Maggie, Sarel, Yonah, Tal, Faith Song, Boaz, Derek, and Jewel Nelson (24, 23, 21, 19, 16, 14, 13, 11, & 9). He is also survived by his sister, Jane Prentice, and her three daughters, Sue Irby, Laura (Jim) McLaughlin, and Sarah (Scott) Collins.

My dad especially gave me, his daughter, a beautiful picture of the unconditional love and acceptance our Heavenly Father has for each of us. I am forever grateful and inspired!