Mark Friedow

Mark Dana Friedow was born April 28, 1949, in Mason City to Verlyn and June Friedow. 

Mark graduated from Kanawha High School in 1967, and then went on to Iowa State University for two years. He was Beta Theta Pi.

He interrupted his education to begin his ag business career and tend to his new family. He held various positions in the agriculture industry in Huron, Algona, Klemme and Jefferson. Most recently he worked as a strategic account manager for Cargill. Mark also proudly served on the board of directors of the Robert and Arlene Hamilton Family Charitable Foundation.

Mark lived on his family farm until he was 12, eventually moving with his family into Kanawha. He continued to raise Poland China hogs with his grandfather and uncles.  His passion for agriculture stayed in his heart forever.

Mark died from complications of COVID-19 on Feb. 6.

Mark is survived by his children and siblings: son Forrest Friedow (Nathan Marcy) and grandson Mansel, of Los Angeles; son Justin (Lorena) Friedow, of Belmond; grandson Ricardo Mendoza, of Coralville; granddaughter Ashley Friedow, of Waterloo; and grandson Aiden Friedow, of Belmond; and mother to Forrest and Justin and family friend Ann Freiberg, of Iowa City; daughter Alyssa (Chris) Sundell and grandson Grant, of West Des Moines; mother to Alyssa and family friend Vickie Friedow, of West Des Moines; stepson Terry Fisher, of Gilmore City; grandson Allen Fisher and great-granddaughter Avery Fisher, of Houston; grandsons Alex Fisher and Christian Fisher, of Jonestown, Pa.; and granddaughters Kylee Reynolds and Victoria Fisher, of Houston; sister Melissa Cook, of Britt; brother Mitchell (Geneva) Friedow, of Huxley; and sister Rene (Dan) Abels, of Kanawha; special friend Rita Scheiring and her daughter Stephanie Hummel and her granddaughters Madison and Evelyn Hummel.

In addition, Mark had a wonderful extended family, including cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends around the world.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Verlyn and June Friedow, and sister Martha Brass.

The family wants to express their gratitude to Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines for their compassionate care during his final days.

There are no public services. Please consider sending donations in Mark’s memory to the Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org.

Ewing Funeral Home, Kanawha, assisted the family.