Mark R. Fowler

Mark R. Fowler, 58, of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family at home.

He was given about 26 months at the time of his diagnosis. Instead, Mark battled stage IV colon cancer for ten years and surprised the doctors and everyone by being funny and making it easy on us right up to the end.

Services to celebrate Mark’s life will be held Sunday, September 6, at The Outing Club, Bettendorf.  Timing to be announced in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, the Fowler Family would like to encourage friends and family to donate to Iowa Legal Aid.

Mark Richard Fowler was born on May 24, 1968, at the McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois, the son of Richard and Julane (Hesh) Fowler. He graduated from Rushville High School in 1986 where he was a standout athlete in cross country, basketball, and track. He went to Augustana College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English. He met Liesl Kolp Fowler at Augustana and the couple was married at the college on June 2, 1990.

During his short career as a merchandiser for M&M Mars and Lipton & Co. Mark earned an MBA from St. Ambrose University in 1997. He graduated from the University of Iowa School of Law School in 1999. Mark practiced as an attorney with Califf-Harper (Moline) 2000-2002 and Gomez-May Law (Davenport) 2002-2012. Mark became an Associate Court Judge 2012-2018 and was a District Court Judge from 2018 until his death.

Mark believed life was far too short not to laugh a great deal everyday, and he tried hard to make sure others did the same. If you knew him well, you know Mark also believed everything was a scam and in taking full advantage of your employer's match. He also believed in giving grace and second chances, especially to those that afforded that same charity to others.

Mark was practical to a fault and kind beyond all reason. He accepted everyone as he met them, regardless of age, race, religion, gender, or circumstance. Unless you wore your baseball cap backwards - that’s where he drew the line. :)

Mark loved to cook (thank goodness!) and he knew we loved his famous carbonara. He could smoke a wicked pork butt and his chili was world class. But he was just as happy with a simple burger and a cold Arnie Palmer to wash it down. Mark loved bologna and rainbow sherbert and Dr. Pepper and the Cubs. And he hated raspberries and eating outside and intolerance and bullies.

Mark took great pride in his work, but never took himself too seriously. His work as a judge was some of the most fulfilling (and occasionally frustrating, hilarious, and ridiculous) experiences of his career. But the rest of us were often regaled by his tales of the foolishness of the court system and its players. In another life, Mark would have been a pro golfer or the president, or perhaps both. He was admittedly not a techie and deeply mourned the loss of his flip phone, and the one with the slide-out keyboard.

Most of us knew Mark was a closet extrovert, even if he didn’t, and while he would shine among friends and colleagues, he truly enjoyed the quiet of his home with his family. His greatest pride are his children and the kind loving adults they have grown to be.

Mark is survived by his wife, Liesl Fowler; his children, Ian (Claire) Fowler and grandson, Liam, of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Jackson Fowler of Grimes, Iowa, and Karin Fowler of Bettendorf; his brother, Matt Fowler and nephew, Rich Fowler, of Adair, Illinois; and dozens of aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues and friends.

From Mark’s wife, Liesl: “For more than 36 years, we built a beautiful life together. We had ups and downs like everyone, but the good times far out weighed the bad, and we cherished every day watching our kids grow.”

In Mark’s memory, please love one another, give grace where it is needed, and be sure you laugh everyday.

Stories and condolences may be shared at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.