Mark A. Sarcone

Mark A. Sarcone, 62, died February 21, 2024, with his loving wife, Christine, by his side at the EveryStep Kavanagh House, Des Moines, Iowa. In April 2023, he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Brain Tumor. Mark persevered with calm courage and battled his cancer for ten long months and never complained.
Visitation will be held from 5-7pm, Monday, February 26, 2024 at Iles Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50322. A time for sharing memories followed by a rosary will begin at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50315.
Mark was born on January 27, 1962, in Des Moines, Iowa to Francis X. and Mary Margaret (Hayes) Sarcone.
Mark graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 1980. Graduated from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in 1983. Graduated from Iowa State University in 1985 with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication. His Journalism Internship for the NRA was from 1982-1985 in Des Moines, Iowa and Camp Perry, Ohio.
After graduation, Mark worked for a variety of airlines at the Des Moines International Airport. He graduated from the American College of Travel, 1986. He completed his insurance exams from the Insurance Institute of America, 1989 and worked for a variety of Insurance Companies in Des Moines, Iowa. Mark started his United States Postal Service (USPS) Postal career in 1994 as a Clerk. After 9/11/2001, he worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the Des Moines International Airport as a Supervisor. He returned to his USPS Postal career in 2006. His last position was as a Statistical Programs Clerk at the USPS, Main P&DC Facility, Des Moines, Iowa. He traveled to Post Offices around the state of Iowa to perform his Statistical duties. After Mark was diagnosed with a brain tumor, he retired on May 19, 2023, with 28 years of government service.
Mark met the love of his life, Christine Ramirez, and they were married on August 25, 1990. They had 33 years of love, laughter, and adventures. They found joy every day.
Mark had a fun-loving spirit. He was a true gentleman. He was goal oriented, loyal with integrity beyond measure. He was a loving husband and always made every day special. He had many passions, hiking, kayaking, and camping. He loved traveling to Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest, to hike and camp in the mountains. He loved traveling as much as possible across the USA and Canada. He grew up on the South side of Des Moines and was proud of his Italian heritage. He was an award-winning Editor (Officer) for the Des Moines Iowa Area APWU Local 44 "News & Views" Newspaper from 2014-2023. As the Editor, it gave him the opportunity to live out his Journalism dreams. He enjoyed many genres of music and listening to NPR, while sitting on the deck on warm summer nights, enjoying a cold beverage. He and Christine enjoyed the area wineries every summer, with family and friends. He volunteered for the Ankeny Democratic Office and the South-Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO for general elections. As the Legislative Aide for the Des Moines Iowa Area APWU, Local 44, he traveled to Washington DC to meet with congressional representatives and lobby for better working conditions for all. He was an award-winning Sports Editor for the DMACC Campus Chronicle and had a love for all things sports "Football." He especially loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, impersonating Hayden Fry and listening to Jim Zabel, "Hug and Kiss your radios." After watching the "Immaculate Reception," at the age of ten, he became a long time fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He bleeds Black and Gold. Mark always left you with the phrase, "See you tomorrow" and a smile on his face.
Mark had a passion for all things Aviation. He received his private pilot's license on July 29, 1995. He flew Cessna Airplanes out of the Ankeny, Iowa, Airport and enjoyed every second of flying high in the sky. Whenever a plane flew over, he could name the airplane and airline with his eyes closed.
He was a proud union member and an Officer of the APWU-American Postal Workers Union, Des Moines, Iowa Area Local 44. A sustaining member of Iowa Public Radio and many environmental societies.
Mark is survived by his wife, Christine; brother, Tom (Rhonda) Sarcone, Charleston, West Virginia; sister, Kathy (Bill) Koenig, Urbandale, Iowa; brother, Mike (Julie) Sarcone, West Des Moines, Iowa and sister, Mary (Paul) Mahnke, Urbandale, Iowa; nieces, Lauren McCarthy (Mike Schmidt), Gabbi Sarcone (Derek Self), Maddi Sanchez (Frank), Nicole Ramirez (Sam Bown); nephews, Sam Sarcone (Hannah), Jack Sarcone, Chris Mahnke, Jordan Ramirez and an immense family of cousins and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis X., and Mary Margaret (Hayes) Sarcone.
Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the following organizations: Please write or note "Mark Sarcone" when making your donation, thank you. Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry (DMARC), 100 Army Post Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50315; Iowa Public Radio, 2111 Grand Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, Iowa 50312; Gary's Brain Cancer Bike Ride 2024, May 18, 2024, funds raised support the MercyOne Richard Deming, Cancer Center, Des Moines, Iowa Donations @ garysrideiowa.org or The Auxiliary of the APWU, in honor of their HR project for Sleep in Heavenly Peace (beds for children). Send donations to Bonnie Sevre, 2836 Highway 88, Minneapolis, MN. 55418.
The funeral mass will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. Please go to Mark's obituary page at www.IlesCares.com for the link and to leave online condolences.
Mark's family would like to express how very grateful they are for your thoughts and prayers, you warmed our hearts and lifted our spirits.
Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.
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