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Obituary For Mark Andrew Block
Mark Andrew Block, 60, passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 28, 2026.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (460 NW Washington Ave, Elkhart). Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, also at the church.
Mark was born on September 23, 1965, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Dan and Sharon Block. Mark graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1984. He was a stand-out runner with State honors in both track and cross country.
Mark completed his freshman year at the University of Northern Iowa, when tragically, he was involved in a horrible car accident. He was pulled from his car and Life Flight took him to Des Moines, Iowa, where he began a difficult recovery and rehabilitation process as a spinal cord injury survivor. With much determination and hard work, Mark returned to Cedar Falls and graduated from UNI in 1990. While there, Mark met Karla Ruden and the two were married on September 9, 1995. After relocating to Ankeny, Mark and Karla raised their two children, Abby and Danny. Mark’s greatest joy and happiness were supporting his young children in their activities and success.
Mark did not let his disability get in the way of his professional career, starting first at the sales desk of his father’s business, Iowa Medical Supply in Fort Dodge, and continuing with success in pharmaceutical sales with Johnson and Johnson, Smith and Nephew and Abbott.
In 2009, tragedy struck a second time when Mark suffered a debilitating fall at his home and began the difficult process of recovery all over again. He was assisted with rehab at the Shirley Ryan Rehabilitation Center in Chicago, Illinois. While there, Mark witnessed the amazing good the world of stair climbing did to support injury recovery such as his.
Remarkably, Mark completed numerous fundraising stair climbs, including 103 flights to the top of Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower. Climbing became his passion, something he shared with his kids and extended family, including Willis Tower, Climbing for Air, Double Dog Dare, and the Vertical Mile at Reunion Tower in Dallas Texas. Mark found joy in sharing his story with others.
Mark is survived by his father, Dan Block, of Southlake, Texas; daughter, Abby (Eli) Wright of Waukee; son, Danny Block, of Ames; and sister, Kristi Godfrey (Bill) of Southlake, Texas. He will be missed by his faithful companion, Ernie.
Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Block.
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My deepest condolences to Mark's family. I've known Mark since junior high school and enjoyed our times together on the football or track field and seeing him later in life at class reunions or other festivities. Mark has always been a beacon of strength and inspiration, especially after his accident and how he batted back from his injuries. May God Bless Mark and his family.
My deepest sympathies to Dan Block and family. Mark was a positive energy who overcame medical hardships.
I knew mark back in the '80s when we were in high school and he was in track. We lost touch After High School but we had recently gotten back in touch a year or so ago. I was so impressed with his story and his strength. I'm so sorry to hear that he lost this battle. I really hope he would be able to write a book about his life because he is one of the strongest people I know. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
