Mark A. Tendall

Mark A. Tendall, 68, of Miller, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, April 18, 2025, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., Garner, with Pastor Clevey Ragsdale officiating.

To view his service click the following link:  Watch Video

A memorial visitation will be held Thursday at the funeral chapel from 4 to 6 p.m.

Mark Allen Tendall, the son of Roger and Dolores (Henderson) Tendall, was born February 28, 1957, in Belmond. He grew up on a farm west of Miller and graduated from Forest City High School in 1975. Mark married Pat Dirks in 1979 and the couple welcomed two sons, Matt and Alex. The marriage later ended.

On March 30, 1996, Mark married Ann Jensvold at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The couple lived in Forest City, where Mark was employed at Winnebago Industries, and continued working on the farm with his dad, Roger. After leaving Winnabego, he started the A & M Heating and Cooling business. Mark and Ann eventually moved to the family farm in 2004, where they raised their three children, Jacob, Taylor and Destiny. Later, he worked as maintenance supervisor at an egg breaking plant near Britt until his retirement in 2022.

In his younger years, Mark played on several traveling mens and co-ed slow-pitch softball teams, competing in tournaments across Iowa and southern Minnesota. This is where he met Ann, and they enjoyed playing ball together and traveling to many games in their early years. He was diagnosed with kidney disease in the early 90s, and battled numerous health issues over the years. There were so many times that he could have given up, but he always fought to come home and continue to provide and be present for his family. His resilience was amazing[1] . In 2015, Mark was on the list for a kidney transplant and in a beautiful twist of fate, they learned that his wife Ann was a perfect match. The two underwent surgery at the same time so that Ann could donate one of her healthy kidneys to Mark. This life-saving procedure was very successful gave them ten more happy (and much healthier) years together. He may not have said it out loud, but he was so grateful for everyone – doctors, family, and loved ones – who stepped in to care for him and Ann, to help with the kids and the acreage, and who sent so many prayers and well-wishes.

Mark enjoyed spending time with his family, riding his motorcycles, listening to Blues music, and watching westerns, especially Gunsmoke and Rifleman. Mark, lovingly called “Old Guy” and “Marco” by his children, was a connoisseur of vests, groutfits (gray outfits), and scented candles. After his retirement, he learned new skills, like how to do his own laundry. He unfortunately never did learn how to put dishes in the dishwasher, or use the same cup more than once.

He wasn’t a religious man, but Mark believed in being a good person, a strong caretaker and role model, and helped with things whenever he could. He could fix just about anything – his way, the right way. No shortcuts. He was also a man of few words and often showed his love by simply being present. “I’m here, that means I love you.”

Mark is survived by his wife, Ann, of Garner; five children, Matt (Mariah) Tendall of Forest City, Alex Tendall of Forest City, Jacob Tendall of Garner, Taylor Tendall of Hampton, and Destiny Tendall of Garner; his father, Roger Tendall of Mason City; three siblings, Denise (Marvin) Mauderer of Mission, TX, Wayne (Colleen) Tendall of Waukee and Neal (Teresa) Tendall of Kearney, MO; six grandchildren (Blake, Bradley, Lucy, Brody, Abel, and Tripp), and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dolores in 2019.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Iowa Donor Network or the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, Minnesota.