Mark F. Westergaard Sr.

Mark Frederick Westergaard Sr., 70, passed away peacefully with his immediate family members at his side on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. A memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, November 5, 2023 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday at McLaren’s, with a private burial at Resthaven Cemetery at a later date.

Mark was born August 31, 1953 in Des Moines to Gene and Elvera (Erquist) Westergaard. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1971 and from Iowa State University in 1975 with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Administration. Mark worked as a property manager, commercial real estate broker, and in residential construction. He was employed by Meggison Real Estate, Westmark Property Management, Savannah Homes and part time at Adventure Lighting. Mark LOVED the Iowa State Fair and enjoyed watching and rooting for the Iowa State Cyclones, playing cards, having a cold beer during local happy hour with friends, and watching crime drama shows with his favorites being Criminal Minds and NCIS.

Mark will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 27 years, Suzanne “Sam”; son, Mark Jr. (Holly); daughter, Jessica (Mike) McLeran; grandchildren, Kayla, Emma, Nora, and Mark III "Trey"; brother, Neal (Linda); nieces, Emily (Chris) Westergaard and Sara (Marc) Hopkins; mother-in-law, Donna (Rex) Bastian; sisters-in-law, Diane (Andy) Gascon, Julie (Trip Dupelle) Bastian, and Linda (Matt) Marquis; the mother of his children, Marilee; and many more extended family members and dear friends.

The family would like to thank the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Lung Transplant Team, American Lung Association, MercyOne Main 5 North team and the EveryStep staff at the Kavanaugh House for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Food Bank of Iowa.