Mark McConnell

Mark McConnell

Iowa City

Mark McConnell, 76, died Sunday, August 21, 2022, at home.

The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 28, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. Per Mark’s wishes, no formal service is planned. In lieu of flowers the Mark McConnell Memorial Fund has been established. Memorials may be forwarded to P.O. Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.

Mark was born November 29, 1945, in Creston, Iowa, the son of William Harvey and Rebecca (Langfritz) McConnell. He was raised in Washington, Iowa, later moving to Iowa City where he was a 1964 graduate of City High School. Mark attended the University of Iowa.

Mark married Nancy Engelhardt on June 6, 1966. To this marriage, two children were born, Rob and Melissa. On July 13, 1991, Mark married Brenda Larson Hackathorn in Iowa City. Mark and Brenda lived in Iowa City until 1992 when they moved to Mark’s hometown of Washington, IA, for 7 years. While there Mark and wife, Brenda, spearheaded the building of the New Dawn at Sunset Playground at Washington’s Sunset Park. They then moved to Phoenix, AZ, for 7 years. They next resided in Elkader, IA, for 9 years where they owned and operated the Elkader Bed and Breakfast in Elkader, IA. In 2015 they made a complete circle and returned back to Iowa City.

Mark owned and operated McConnell Floor Covering and later McConnell Construction Company. Mark built many homes, dental clinics and other commercial buildings. He was a gifted designer and visionary.

Mark was an avid reader, loved to bass fish, traveled as far as South Africa, was especially proud of the many wine cellars he installed around the country and loved his family above all else. Doing RAGBRAI with family and spending time on his Chris Craft cruiser on the Mississippi were times he cherished.

Mark is survived by his wife, Brenda; his children, Rob (Britt) McConnell of Iowa City and children, Luke and Lily; Melissa (Brad) Brodigan of Danville, CA and children, Anna and Hailey; step-children, Bret Hackathorn and former daughter-in-law, Jennifer and children, Ella and Lars; Brian (Hannah) Hackathorn of Scottsdale, AZ and daughter, Alexa; his siblings, Joe (Marde) McConnell of Washington and Susie McConnell of Iowa City; brother-in-law, Mike Wright of Tiffin; former spouse, Nancy Heifner of The Villages, FL; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Wright.

The complete obituary and online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com.