Mark Allan Cunningham

Mark Allan Cunningham, 56 of Nevada died on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Memorial services will be held 11:00AM on Wednesday, November 8th at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1110 11th Street in Nevada with Father Tim Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 7th at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, 1418 Fawcett Parkway in Nevada.
Mark was born on December 2, 1966, in Ames, Iowa to Donald Cunningham and Janet (Perkins) Cunningham. He attended school in Ankeny, IA until 9th grade when he transferred to Ames High school where he excelled in sports. Mark joined the Navy after high school and served on the USS Inchon for 3 years. Upon his return to central Iowa Mark worked a variety of different jobs. Mark met and married his soulmate Kathi Cunningham on December 29, 1995.
Mark had a love for power tools and construction and founded Cunningham Construction, Marshalltown in 1995. After successfully running Cunningham Construction for many years Mark worked at Eagle One Safety Solutions as a safety advisor. Mark always said his role was to make sure all employees on a work site went home to their families. While working for Eagle One Mark traveled to many states instructing employees on work safety and monitoring job sights. Mark decided after several years of traveling he wanted to be back home and turned back to construction establishing Honey Do Home Improvement. While in the construction business Mark found time to build the two homes where he and Kathi raised their family.
Mark had many interests and hobbies but his love for German Shepard dogs was at the top of the list. He was a proud owner of the breed for many years. His dogs were always well trained and could be seen traveling with Mark either in his vehicles or in the motorcycle sidecar. Mark's hobbies included photography, creating stained glass pieces and of course woodworking. Mark excelled at all of them.
Mark was great at learning new skills and mastering them. Mark was an amazing teacher of these skills. He taught trade skills with patience and gentleness to anyone who wanted to learn. Mark was a selfless man that lived his life by the golden rule and spread kindness to everyone he met. Mark would help anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Mark spent his free time target shooting, motorcycle riding, kayaking, playing cards and mahjong with his many friends.
Mark is survived by his wife Kathi Cunningham, daughters Darcie Platt (Russ Faupel) and Tessa Cunningham (Bryce Hubert). Grandson Morrison Faupel. Siblings: Kevin (Sally) Cunningham (MN), Kelly (John) Hicks (Carroll), Mike Cunningham (Des Moines), Sally (Toby) Scully (Ankeny), Sean (Renee) Hokel (Adel), Shannon (Jeff) Burright (Bondurant), Mother-in-law DeLores Vasey (Nevada). Stepmother Marsha Cunningham (Ankeny), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents Don Cunningham and Janet Cunningham and his father-in-law, Robert Vasey.
Mark had high regards for many local organizations. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to:
Ames Moose Lodge 520
PO Box 29
Ames, Iowa 50010
Izaak Walton League Park
2066 Stagecoach Rd
Ames, Iowa 50010
Iowa State Foundation
Companion Animal Fund
515-294-2531
Vetmed@iastate.edu
Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home of Nevada is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.rasmussonfh.com.