Mark Ormsby, 64, of Davenport, Iowa; died unexpectedly on Monday, June 13, 2022 shortly after sharing a few moments with Sheri, his wife and best friend of 41 years. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022 from 4-7pm, with a service on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 10am. Both the visitation and service will be at Weerts Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Sheri for dedication at a later time.
Born to Mark and Marilyn Ormsby on November 8, 1957, in El Paso, TX, Mark spent his early life stationed on Army posts with his family around the world. This took him to New Mexico, France, Germany, Maryland, Washington D.C., France (again), Belgium and finally Davenport. In Mark’s words, he was in the army for 18 years without ever enlisting. During that time, he was able to see and experience countless places in Europe, from skiing in Switzerland to Eagle Scout camp outside of Pisa. Once stateside, he graduated from Assumption High School in 1977.
Mark was married to the love of his life, Sheri, and together they had one daughter, Sarah Katherine. If you knew Mark, you knew how much he loved his “girls”. Whether it was a home project with Sheri or dreaming up some idea that Sarah planted, they kept life interesting. Mark was creative, talented, and a self-taught woodworker. Never one to shy away from getting his hands dirty, he expanded his handyman skills and tool collection whenever a need arose. Mark would take the shirt off his back (Carhartt, of course) for anyone he met.
In a world that is not always kind, or fair, Mark was there to lend a hand and always showed up for anyone who needed him. To honor his giving nature and as one last “favor,” Mark gave the gift of organ donation. With the loss of Mark, and in an attempt to add back a little of the kindness lost, it is our hope that you pay it forward and help out someone in Mark’s memory.
Mark is survived by his loving wife, Sheri (Johnson) Ormsby; adored daughter, Sarah Stewart, and favorite son-in-law Christopher Stewart (Des Moines); devoted mother, Marilyn Ormsby (Cedar Rapids); granddog Houndstooth; sister, Michele (Jerry) Johnson; brothers-in-law Ed (Kathy) Johnson, Greg Johnson, Tim (Kathy) Johnson; niece and nephews Katie (Michael) Bys, Seth Johnson, Eric (Sarah) Johnson and Adam (Katrina) Johnson; as well as great nieces and nephews Hudson, Addison, Savanah, Eli, Soliea, Evan and Jason. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Mark; mother and father-in-law, Una and Stella Johnson; and three cherished pets, Peabody, Lady and Muffy.
What we will miss most about Mark is his smile and the way he made you feel like any conversation you had with him was the most interesting one in the world. Mark made everyone feel like a somebody and if you were a friend, you were basically family. Like he always said, “Family helps family.” Again, we would like to encourage you to take a moment today to tell someone you love them and provide a helping hand. In a world of both uncertainty and opportunities to help others, be like Mark.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left to the family by visiting their obituary at www.weertsfh.com
