Due to Covid-19, a private family funeral service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, with Pastor Gregory L. Davison, Trinity Lutheran Church in Marshalltown, officiating. Pallbearers include Robert Underwood and James Van Gundy. Burial will follow in the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Jasper County, west of Newburg.

The funeral service will be livestreamed beginning at 1:55 p.m. Monday, on the Smith Funeral Home Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Marshalltown or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, for Parkinson’s research.

Mark was born on August 19, 1947, in West Union, Iowa, the son of Emory A. and Evelyn R. Rusley Underwood. He was raised in several different communities in Northern Iowa. He was a 1965 graduate of South Hamilton High School in Jewell and then furthered his education at Hamilton Business College in Mason City. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard during the Vietnam War and was discharged in 1974, after serving his country for 8 years, as Staff Sergeant.

On August 9, 1969, he was united in marriage to Carolyn L. Madill, in Newburg, Iowa. A union of 51 years! The couple lived in Marshalltown where they raised their two children.

Mark was employed for nearly 42 years at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown as a Storekeeper and Quartermaster. During this time, he was also employed for 26 years at the Marshalltown YMCA. Everybody enjoyed his friendly smile, until he retired in 2011.

Mark was a member of the Marshalltown Trinity Lutheran Church and the Marshalltown American Legion.

Mark was an incredibly kind, loving, patient, and gentle man, who held a strong faith in God, never complained, and always thought of others before himself. His thoughtfulness was equaled only by his hard-working nature, holding two jobs for many years to support his family, who he adored – especially his granddaughter, Allison! His quiet and humble example will be deeply missed by his family,

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn of Marshalltown; two children, Robert (Laura) Underwood of Louisville, Kentucky and Andrea (James) Van Gundy of Des Moines; and one granddaughter, Allison Underwood of Louisville. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.