Mark McWilliams, 66, of Anamosa, died Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice of Mercy House in Hiawatha, IA

Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2021 at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to the time of service. Properly fitted face masks are required and social distancing will be necessary. By using the " Guestbook " tab, located to the you may share your thoughts, memories, and condolences with the family. A larger celebration of Mark's life will be held at a later date.

Mark Lee McWilliams was born March 27, 1954 in DeWitt, IA, the son of Lee and Myrle (Olson) McWilliams. He attended schools in DeWitt and graduated from DeWitt High School in 1972. He then attended Clinton Community College, earning his Associates of Arts degree. On February 15, 1986 he married Lu Ann Westphal at Zion Lutheran Church in Wyoming, IA. He was employed as a technician for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and retired in 2012 after 33 years of service.

He was a former member of the Isaac Walton League and taught Sunday School for many years at Zion Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa. He was a grower of giant pumpkins and held the Iowa record for the longest gourd, which earned him fifth place in world-wide competition. He supplied many pumpkins every year for the Anamosa Pumpkin Fest. He enjoyed attending his childrens school and sport events, fishing and hunting. He was a Star trek enthusiast and could recount every episode when asked. Above all else he was a man who loved spending time with his friends, family, and his faithful dogs Apollo and Daisy, and who begrudgingly tolerated his daughter's cats.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lu Ann, his children Jessica McWilliams and Jacob McWilliams, both of Anamosa, his mother Myrle McWilliams, DeWitt, siblings Steve, DeWitt, Lori Wheelen, DeBary, FL, Becky (John) Hansen, DeWitt, Todd (Karen), DeWitt, and Debbie McWilliams, Helena, AL, a brother-in-law Doug (Cindy) Westphal, Wyoming, IA, a sister-in-law Connie (John) Warren, Oklahoma City, OK and by many nieces and nephews,.

He was preceded in death by his father Lee, his in-laws Pete and Joyce Westphal and a niece Jenny Bopes.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of the Hall Perrine Cancer Center, Cedar Rapids, the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice of Mercy House, and their extended family for the care, compassion and help they received during this time.

Daddy is now fishing in heaven with Grandpa.