Mark Jahnel

Mark Jahnel, 71, of Orchard, Iowa, passed away at his home Wednesday, February 4, 2026, due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Haven with burial and luncheon immediately following. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Hoff Celebrations - Champion Chapel in Osage. Visitation will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery.

Mark was born in Osage, Iowa, on March 9, 1954, to June (Havig) and Jim Jahnel of New Haven. He was the fifth of seven children. Mark had a tumultuous relationship with school, finding ways to brighten up the hum drum of the school day, resulting in the nuns hitting his knuckles with a ruler and frequently being found with, ‘Fee fie foe fum, I smell grape gum.’ He never grew out of his childhood enjoyment in finding mischief and ways to bend the rules. Mark was often seen with a rascally grin and twinkle in his eye plotting a joke on some unbeknownst sole. His pranks were played on anyone he knew, there was no prejudice to who he targeted. The only requirement was that it ended with tears in his eyes from giggling so much. His laugh was infectious, which often resulted in forgetting what was funny to begin with.

After high school, Mark worked for a couple of years building cars south of Orchard. He then opened his own mechanic shop in New Haven and began work at Fox River Mills. Mark went on to building cars and selling them, moving his business to Nora Springs and then finally back to his home in Orchard. He worked two jobs for more than 40 years, ensuring he provided for his family.

In 1980 Mark was united in marriage to Cheryl (Fox), they later divorced. To that union they welcomed four children. His life revolved around his children and later his grandchildren. Growing up, no matter what his kids needed - ‘Dad, I locked my keys in my car,’ ‘Dad, I hit another deer’, ‘Dad, I ran out of gas’ he was there to help, and of course to give us each some grief. Although he often griped, he thoroughly enjoyed helping his kids with any projects they may have had, often putting their needs before his own. He was also the best Bapa, not only to his own grandchildren, but to their friends that only knew him as Bapa, a name that made him so proud. Often he could be seen bringing the grandkids to church, taking them camping, and attending their activities. Thankfully, many of his traits, good and bad alike, have been passed down to his kids and grandkids ensuring his legacy will continue.

Mark enjoyed fishing, hunting, driving his classic cars, restoring pedal tractors, and camping. He loved all of those things even more when family or friends were there to enjoy them with him. Mark used his ingenuity to build his own wood splitter, wood rack, and most recently creating metal art. He always had a creative plan to make something easier or better, his endless projects and plans will be missed.

Mark didn’t know a stranger, whether it was striking up a conversation in a waiting room, underneath the flaming dragon at Universal Studios, or at a sporting event. He always made a new friend with each encounter. Mark loved celebrating the holidays, especially 4th of July when he would light off fireworks for friends and family. There may have been a few close calls with personal injuries or the trailer starting on fire, but that didn’t stop him from doing it again the next year.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Lisa (Scott) Soifer, Brad Jahnel, Monica (Matt) Harris; grandchildren, Vivian, Ross, and Theodore Soifer, and William, Henry, and Maxwell Harris; and siblings, David, Bill (Gloria), Barb (Larry) Berg, Dennis (Pam), Carolyn (Kelvin) Palsic, and Kevin. He will also be greatly missed by nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends.

Those preceding him in death were his infant son, Brian; and his parents, Jim and June Jahnel.

Memorials may be directed to the family, which will be used to increase carbon monoxide poisoning awareness and detection. Mark was gone too soon and would have been mad at himself for having gone out this way, make sure you and your loved ones have a carbon monoxide detector.

Hoff Celebrations – Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.