Mark Carl Huston, 56, of Oskaloosa died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at his mother’s home south of Knoxville. He was born August 12, 1969, in Ames, Iowa, the son of Mark and Marilyn Molamphy Huston. He started his education with the school program at C.O.C. in Pella. He went on to attend Ruby Van Meter School in Des Moines and then graduated from Ames High School with the class of 1988. Following graduation, he was part of the workshop employment program with C.O.C. and Happy Joe’s in Ames. He retired from the Life Skills Program of C.O.C. in 2025. Mark loved music, camping, and playing video games. Mark was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan, and in honor of Mark everyone is encouraged to wear ISU or red clothing to the visitation.
Mark was a true warrior battling colon cancer and remaining strong after seven horrible surgeries, and as a child, wearing leg braces for 16 years, struggling with words and society’s acceptance. Mark loved his pets, three-wheeling, riding in the golf cart and seeing hot air balloons, but most of all going to concerts with his mom! He was such a treasure to all that knew him.
His family includes his mother and her husband, Marilyn and Ben Bontrager of rural Knoxville; three siblings, Jon (Elaine) Smith of Oskaloosa, Jeremy (Lucinda) Smith of Leighton, and Val (Bruce) Cameron of Urbandale; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with the family present from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A private family graveside service will be held at the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Memorials may be made to C.O.C. or Imagine the Possibilities memory bench program.
