Mark 'Woody' Woods, 27 Apr 1957 - 24 Aug 2024

WOODS, SEPTER, SANDERSFELD, ARGALL, KEHRLI, GRESSLIN, THOMPSON, KLEINHESSELINK

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 8/28/2024 at 13:51:11

Mark “Woody” Woods, 67, of South Amana died on Saturday, August 24, 2024 following an accident near his home. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Stonebridge Church by Pastor Brandon Levering and Pastor Robin Tyner. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial: Zion Reformed Cemetery, Williamsburg. Teahen Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Woody is survived by his wife, Gayle; four children: Zack (Jessica) Woods of Parnell, Ashley (Sam) Argall of Iowa City, Emily (Kyle) Kehrli of Winthrop and Mason (Katherine) Woods of Williamsburg; and 14 grandchildren: Grady, Conan, Calvin, Greta, and Cyrus Woods, Fletcher and Nelson Argall, Opal, Flora, and Milo Kehrli, and Campbell, Otto, Crosby, and Jude Woods.

Woody’s sisters and brothers-in-law: Gary Sandersfeld and Gretchen Gresslin, Deb and Joe Thompson, Ronda and Lyle Kleinhesselink and their families.

Woody was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Helen and Marvin Woods, and grandparents Harold and Iva Septer.

Woody was born on April 27, 1957, in Marengo to Helen Septer, and was raised by his grandparents, Harold and Iva Septer. He graduated from Deep River-Millersburg High School in 1975 and Ellsworth Community College in 1977. Woody and Gayle Sandersfeld were married on August 27, 1977, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Homestead. They started their lives together in Wilton, with Woody managing the ZipMart convenience store in town. In 1981they moved to Belle Plaine and owned “Woody’s” convenience stores in both Belle Plaine and Van Horne. Woody and Gayle started Pride of Iowa Sandwiches in 1987, a successful family business continued by his sons, Zack and Mason, following his retirement in 2020.

Woody’s relationship with Christ began through Pastor Maurice Russel of Vining. Woody’s faith grew through his involvement with Bible Study Fellowship and Stonebridge Church in Cedar Rapids. Woody was known for generously giving of his time and resources to his church, community, employees, family, and even strangers in need.

Woody’s love of sports began with watching his sons excel in football at a young age. He continued to love attending his grandchildren’s many activities. Woody enjoyed fishing with his children and grandchildren and watched Minnesota Twins baseball as often as he could. He was known for his embellished storytelling and playful nature with his grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to Stonebridge Church or Bible Study Fellowship.

Published in The Gazette on August 28, 2024.