Mark Alan "Larzo" Larson

Mark Alan Larson, 48, born March 13th, 1969, to Al and Nancy Larson in Des Moines, IA, passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on June 13th, 2017, after being diagnosed with colon cancer May 19th. Mark grew up in Urbandale, IA, and spent 7 years in Iowa City before returning to Urbandale.

Mark had several work experiences, including a paper route as a teenager, bagger and cashier at Hy-Vee, and Quick Trip Assist Mgr in both Iowa City and Des Moines, before entering into the vocational trucking market in Des Moines. Mark attended the University of Iowa before joining Quick Trip in 1992. He was a partner in ChadMark, LC, and managed the fleet operations and dispatching of the company for 18 years.

As a true Iowa Hawkeye fan, Mark especially enjoyed games at Kinnick Stadium with his many friends, caravanning over in “The Black Beast”, or at any gathering to root them on. Not to mention his Pittsburgh Steelers, a lifelong fan since the days of the Steel Curtain era. Jack Ham and Jack Lambert were his favorite players.

Mark also enjoyed NASCAR with Dale Jarett being his favorite driver. He enjoyed racing so much, he and his friends, Dana and Rick, ran a hobby stock race car at the Boone Speedway for a couple years. Mark also loved making his chili and grilling with his smoker with a crowd of friends. In 2010, Mark was a Blue Ribbon winner at the Iowa State Fair Chili Cookoff. His Firebutt Chili recipe was NOT used. “King of the Grill”.

Mark’s closest friends called him “Larzo”. A name that came to blazen his favorite spot, Larzo’s Bar. His personal private bar that became the gathering spot for his many friends especially during Super Bowls. If you were in Mark’s life, you didn’t miss his Super Bowl party. Period. Larzo’s Bar - a place where everybody truly knew your name.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Al, in September 2016, and his Mother, Nancy, just the month before, on May 4, 2017. He is survived by his brother Chad and his wife Amy, and nieces Grace and Anna (Johnston), and “nephews” Ty and Tucker (Urbandale), many cousins, and his Uncle Gerald Larson and Aunt Alma Larson (St. Charles, MO).

Mark was an incredible son, brother, Uncle, and friend to many. Mark will be missed, but never forgotten. Memorial donations may be made to the Iowa Games and/or the American Cancer Society.

Mark did have a request for all his friends, “please get their colonoscopy”. His future Memorial Golf Outing, the Larzo Open, will require that their colonoscopy be done to participate…Rule 32.2 and Rule 34b…teeing off with a 7 iron on all Par 5s. ~ LSGI!

A special thank you to the 8th floor Mercy Oncology team and staff of nurses and techs for giving Mark such special care and dignity during his last days.

A private Dual Celebration of Life was held on June 18th, for both Mom and Mark, at Hyperion Field Club.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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