Mark C. Smith

Mark Craig Smith, 78, left this life on June 16, 2026, after an up-and-down battle for the last several years with cancer. Mark was born in New Hampton, Iowa, the oldest of four children, to Ramona Fox and Clemens J. Smith.

After graduating from New Hampton High School, Mark attended the University of Notre Dame, and he carried the spirit of Notre Dame in his heart for the rest of his life. Mark attended Irish football games in South Bend and all over the world. He was happy to discuss Notre Dame football any time, any place. He remembered the games, the scores, the plays, and the weather.

After college, Mark married Kay Krueger, a New Hampton classmate. They were married about 14 years and are the parents of Mark’s only daughter, Shannon. Kay has been a good friend to Mark. Mark’s pride and joy has always been Shannon, his loving daughter, and her husband Kevin Gaydos, incidentally also a ND graduate.

Mark followed in his father’s footsteps, attending Drake Law School. He was a Law Clerk for U.S. Attorney Barney Donalson, he participated in Law Review, and he graduated with High Honors, being inducted into the Order of the Coif. After passing the Iowa Bar, Mark practiced law in West Des Moines with Dan Stamatelos and served as a part-time prosecutor for the City of West Des Moines.

Mark taught many years at Drake Law School. He helped to found the Elder Law Clinic at the Drake Law School Legal Clinic, and he spoke to many classes, groups, and organizations on Ethics, Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Criminal Appeals. He volunteered on boards of organizations dedicated to these topics. About 20 years before his retirement, Mark began working in Iowa’s indigent defense program, where he served as the State Appellate Defender and Acting State Public Defender. Mark regularly presented cases to the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals, and he supervised attorneys doing the same, arguing to protect the constitutional rights of all, by protecting the rights of persons convicted of crimes. Mark’s quick mind and great spirit gained the respect and admiration of attorneys he worked with and of Iowa’s Appellate Court Judges.

Mark was a member of Des Moines Golf and Country Club and spent countless happy hours there, at Shannon’s diving competitions, and on the greens with friends. He was a Barrister in the Blackstone Inn of Court, where he could be counted on to ask a question or present a different perspective on nearly any topic.

Mark’s great sense of humor and dedication to the law will be remembered by many. His skills in Trivial Pursuit and Jeopardy were legendary. He was a role model and mentor in the classroom, in the courtroom, or at Wellman’s, Billy Joe’s, or Pal Joey’s.

Mark married Artis (Van Roekel) Reis in 1995, after a long courtship, and they celebrated their 31 year marriage this year. Mark was a wonderful stepfather to Emily (Reis) Abbas, her husband Cory Abbas, and then their children Rowen and Crey, who are now adults. Rowen and Crey were Mark’s only grandchildren and he loved them with a vengeance. Mark had great family vacations and other adventures, treasuring each minute with the family, supporting each one’s growth, and enjoying their interests and accomplishments. They enriched Mark’s life, and he enriched theirs.

Artis and Mark’s life together was fun, interesting, and a true partnership. They travelled, enjoyed plays and movies, remodeled their homes and yards, moved many times, and hosted holiday and pool parties. They navigated Mark’s cancer journey together. They were supporters of Drake basketball, and Mark more recently became an avid fan of the WNBA and Indianapolis Fever.

Mark is survived by wife Artis, and daughter Shannon (Kevin), stepdaughter Emily (Cory), step-grandchildren Rowen and Crey, brothers Jim (Cindy) Smith, John (Gail Ward), and sister Margee (Bill) Stamper, and nieces and nephews. Mark leaves sisters and brothers-law and their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Colin Smith.

Mark and his family wish to express abundant gratitude to the village of people who have supported and surrounded us for the journey: Dr. Gisele Mery of U I Mission Cancer and all her staff; Caring Hearts Home Care, especially Linda and Michelle and Taziki; Blue Stone Therapy, Andrea, P.T. and Jeanne O.T.; Lynn, his favorite hair-cutter; Joy Ride and their careful and caring drivers; Jill, our helper in all things.

In lieu of flowers, Mark’s memory can be honored with contributions to your favorite cause. Some of Mark’s favorites were Notre Dame, Drake Men’s Basketball, Blank Park Zoo, Drake Law School, Des Moines Community Playhouse, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Visitation will be held at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, on Wednesday, July 22, from 4-7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines on Thursday, July 23 at 11a.m., with lunch to follow. In accordance with Mark’s wishes, he will be buried privately in New Hampton, Iowa, alongside his parents.