Wahpeton, Iowa & Dripping Springs, Texas — Mark “Hoot” Glen Foss, 77, passed away peacefully on Sept. 16, 2026, in Windsor Heights, Iowa, following a brief battle with glioblastoma. Mark spent his final months surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Mark was born on March 7, 1949, in Pierre, South Dakota. He graduated from Westbury High School in Houston, Texas, and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. A cattleman by trade, Mark spent 45 years working as a cattle buyer across Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
On June 9, 1973, Mark married his beloved wife, Molly (McKinney) Foss, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage.
A man of diverse passions, Mark was a rodeo cowboy, triathlete, woodworker and bass fisherman. In his later years, he became an active member of the kayaking community, competing in long-distance races, earning his instructor certification and completing several of the nation’s most challenging paddling events.
He cherished listening to live music and two-stepping with Molly across the Iowa Great Lakes and the Texas Hill Country as well as spending time with his granddaughters, whom he lovingly referred to as his “precious darling honey babies.” He is survived by his wife, Molly; his children, Matthew (Abigail Glanville) Foss of Toledo, Ohio, and Kelcee (Matt) Murphy of Windsor Heights, Iowa; his granddaughters, Eleanor and June Murphy; his brother, Dave (Liska) Foss; his brother-in-law, Larry (Paula) McKinney; his nephews, Patrick McKinney and Wylie (Stacia) Foss; his niece, Austyn (Eneko) Bereziartua; and his great-nephew, Fletcher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Josephine Foss; his parents-in-law, Don and Nan McKinney; and his sister, Linda Foss.
While Mark did not wish to have a funeral, he will be remembered in a prayer service at 9:30 am on October 10 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford, Iowa. The service will also be livestreamed.
Mark was honored at the premiere of his son’s opera adaptation of A River Runs Through It; opening night was dedicated to him, “a man who loved rivers and his family.” A private burial will take place at Mount Olive Cemetery in Big Spring, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Okoboji Foundation for the benefit of Wahpeton Waterways Paddler’s Path Restoration Project.
