Mark Dennis Lukavsky

Mark Dennis Lukavsky

Washington

Mark Dennis Lukavsky, age 49, of Washington, Iowa, passed away peacefully in the arms of our Heavenly Father, Friday, January 12, 2024.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernie Weir officiating. Calling hours will begin at 3:00 pm, Friday, February 2, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church where the family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A prayer service will be held at 5:00 pm, Friday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for St. James Catholic Church and the Washington County Fair. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Mark’s family through the web at wwwjonesfh.com.

Mark was born October 16, 1974 in Washington, Iowa, the son of Donald and Barbara Lukavsky. He attended Washington High School in Washington, Iowa, and Kirkwood Community College, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Jill Peiffer on September 4, 2004. The couple later divorced but his children remained the central focus of his life and helped motivate him as he struggled with brain cancer for the past 8 1/2 years.

Agriculture requires dedicated workers and Mark was one of the hardest workers. He worked on the family farm since he was a young boy, which led to his passion for farming. He started his own farm operation after high school, eventually taking over his parent’s farm after their passing.

Mark’s most cherished moments were time spent with his children, Lauren and Tyler at 4-H/FFA, livestock events, fairs, sports, dance, but especially working together on the family farm. Lauren and Tyler’s special times with their dad were playing games, watching sports, and attending county and state fair shows. (Mark was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Dallas Cowboys fan.)

Mark struggled through years of treatment with help from his mother, and others who would often jump in to assist in emergencies. The family wishes to send a heartfelt thank-you to friends and neighbors for their unconditional love and support. Mark felt blessed by the amazing gift you have all given to him.

Friends marveled at Mark’s perseverance, balancing time spent with his family, friends, neighbors, and so many others in the agriculture business. He remained very active in the St. James Catholic Church and multiple agricultural associations. Mark's faith and love of the Lord saw him through his most difficult times, as well as helping him to be a role model for his children loving Jesus Christ.

Mark is survived by his children: Lauren Lukavsky and Tyler Lukavsky of Washington, Iowa; sisters, Michele Vermillion of Des Moines, Iowa, Melanie Skelton of Des Moines, Iowa, and Melissa Swier of North Carolina; brother, Mike (Julie) Lukavsky of Huntersville, North Carolina.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Barbara Lukavsky.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the University of Iowa Hospital Palliative Care Team, Iowa City Hospice, Washington County Hospital and Clinics, and all the physicians and staff who have cared for Mark since August 2015.

Thank you to Fr. Terry Ball for your visits, prayers and words of comfort to Mark, his children, family and friends.