Loren "Mark" Johnson
December 09, 2020
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Service Details
Loren Mark Johnson “Mark”, 65 went home to be with the Lord on December 9, 2020 due to complications of COVID.
Mark was born to Quentin and Mary Johnson on September 16, 1955 in Alexandria, VA. He grew up in Virginia and resided in West Virginia until 1985 when he moved to Des Moines, Iowa.
Throughout his lifetime Mark was employed in various sheltered workshop settings, working at Goodwill in Des Moines and Tenco Industries in Fairfield.
Mark’s greatest loves included his frequent visits to the family’s cabin during his youth, canoeing and nature walks, treasured times studying scripture, listening to Gospel music, embracing and applying lessons of the Celebrate Recovery Program. He cherished fond memories of summer camp attendance and helping his mom with her lawn care. Mark’s 2 most favorite meals were a “cheeseburger from McDonald’s and pizza from Pizza Hut”
Mark knew Jesus as his model and guide. His genuine smile and sincere interest in others included family, friends and also strangers. He shared his faith openly and showed keen interest in what mattered most to those he encountered. He stayed current on events to foster conversations, but ended them always with “God Bless You Man!”
Welcoming him to heaven, Mark was preceded by his parents, brother-in-law and niece, Jim and Emily Brown. Left to celebrate his memory are his sister, Kay Brown (Chuck Yingling) and his nephew Steve Brown (Elisa Castano) and both families.
Memorial contributions can be made to NAMI of Greater Des Moines or bereaved may donate to their favorite charity.
A celebration of Life will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th Street SW in Altoona on Saturday, January 23, 2021. The family will greet visitors from 10-11 a.m. with services to begin at 11 a.m.
A big thank you to all of the caring and compassionate staff at Ridgewood, Mark’s home for the last 2 years.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
“Lutheran Church of the Cross expects that masks
are worn for all gatherings. - Social distant seating is provided”
Ann Gardner
01/23/2021
Dear Kay, My main memory of Loren is of a braniac kid who loved dinosaures and big words. I also remember helping you rearrange your room. We figured out a place for everything except for one trunk, so we hid it in the back of his closet! Family is precious and he will be missed.
Jane Gardner
01/17/2021
Dear Cousin-Sister Karen,
This is a time of saddness & joy. This is a time for contemplation and happiness. Loren Mark's death was expected and caused grief. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. He lived in his own world of light and shadow, impart and apart. It comforts me to know he remembered Aunt Rite's taking us to Gifford's Ice Cream Parlor and his getting pick a favorite flavor.
We are all aware of the 60th anniversay of Alvin York's death. God's will is not always in accord with our wishes, but we persevere. We are a unique family. We face death with Spartan courage and His Amazing Grace. May God bless us, everyone. In his love,
Cousin-Sister Jane
Nathan Grooms
01/08/2021
Hi Kay,
First off I'd like to say we all miss Mark dearly. As me and another employee were going through his belongings we were reminiscing on all the moments with him. Me and Mark had gotten to know each other pretty well and I feel like we had a good friendship.He spoke of God often, as you know, and we prayed together on multiple occasions. I know for a fact that I will see him again and that is what I spoke to him before he left. I held his hand and prayed & told him to be looking out for me because I will see him again.
Margaret Kressman
01/08/2021
Cuz, I've been thinking about memories of Mark from way back when...3 come to mind from the 1950's. One is of him when you visited us in the Dominican Republic. Mark enjoyed the leafy texture of the large tropical plants on the veranda. He would rub several leaves together. Aunt Carrie Belle told him to keep his hands off SO he stuck his elbows into the foliage instead. Memory 2: Mark peering into the basement window in Groveton and proclaiming "The basement is dark, exceedingly dark" Memory 3: Singing "Tit Willow", Gilbert & Sullivan (Mikado?) maybe age 4. Love and Hugs, Margaret
Cicily Dennis
12/14/2020
God bless you, Kay! You have always been such an important and knowldgable advocate for Mark. You have been a valued care giver even when Jim and Emily were so sick. Mark can now experience the joy of God and seeing hisbeloved family!
Kathy Turner
12/12/2020
i was so sorry to hear of Mark's passing! i am so happy that you got to spend some quality time with him reading scripture and reminiscing about your childhood and parents! Hugs!