Mark Allen Regan, 70, of Iowa City, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Mark was born Oct. 7, 1954, in Maquoketa. He was the fourth of six children born to John and Mary (Drew) Regan. His early childhood was spent in Zwingle. After his mother’s death, his father re-married Natalie (McDonnel) Hesse, and Mark gained six siblings. He spent the rest of his childhood on the family farm near Grand Mound.
Mark graduated from Calamus High School in 1972. He worked at John Deere, owned Pronto’s Pizza in Park View, worked at Mutual Wheel Co., the Illinois Oil Company, and Alcoa (later Arconic). Mark retired from Arconic in 2020, after 27 years of service.
Mark married Deborah Vens on Dec. 27, 1974. They celebrated 50 years of marriage on Dec. 27, 2024. Mark and Deb raised three children, Ryan, Matt, and Rachel in Park View. Mark strongly believed in giving back to his community. He was a member of the Lions Club, the parish council at St. Anne’s Church, organized an oil recycling facility, and coached his children’s baseball and softball teams.
Mark had a great sense of humor and was the life of the party, telling jokes and having a good time with everyone he met. He was a life-long fan of rock music and loved sharing it with all who knew him. Later in life, Mark was a crowd-favorite at karaoke, where he was often found wearing Hawaiian shirts over rock band t-shirts, singing Roy Orbison songs. He also enjoyed the Chicago Cubs, Da Bears, Hawkeye sports, Minnesota family fishing vacations, and was an avid reader.
Mark is survived by his wife, Deb; his children, Ryan (Ashley, daughter Aubry), Matt (Susie), Rachel (Mike); grandchildren, John and Grant; brothers, Pat (Sue) Regan, Tom Regan, Kevin (Paula) Regan, Ron (Jeanine) Hesse, Larry (Desiree) Hesse, and Dick (Bobbie) Hesse; sisters, Jody Regan, Molly Regan, and Noreen (George) Hartney; sister-in-law, Shelley Hesse; in-laws, Vicky (William) Looney, and Sheila Vens; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Bill and Bob Hesse.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Schultz Funeral Home, Grand Mound. The family encourages everyone to wear Hawaiian and/or rock band shirts to the visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at St. Philip and James Catholic Church in Grand Mound, with burial following in the church cemetery.
Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.
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