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Mark Taylor Cornish, 73, of Storm Lake died Feb.16, 2026, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Rochester, Minn.
Memorial services will take place Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Mark was born March 10, 1952, in Iowa City to Dr. Lawrence Robert Cornish and Betty Jean (Fuller) Cornish. Mark married Jayne (Fuller) Cornish on July 1, 1973. Mark and Jayne had two children, Christopher Lawrence Cornish and Justin Read Cornish. In 2007, Mark married the love of his life, Deborah Sue Cornish. Mark and Deborah lived in Storm Lake until his death.
Mark graduated from Indianola High School in 1970 and then attended the University of Kansas. He graduated with a B.A. degree in business from the University of Iowa in 1974. Following his graduation from University of Iowa, he attended Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Neb., and received his J.D. in 1978.
Mark was a partner in the law firm of Stern, Diehl, Cornish & Jensen with offices in Storm Lake and Albert City. Mark retired as senior partner in 2022 after practicing for 44 years.
Mark was active in his church and community. He served as chairman of the Finance Committee of United Methodist Church; City Attorney for the City of Albert City; Probate Referee for Buena Vista County District Court, Storm Lake; Vice Chairman of the Buena Vista County Public Health Department Advisory Committee; member of the Buena Vista County Homemaker Home Health Agency Respite Care Advisory Committee; Chairman of the Buena Vista County Hospital Adolescent Treatment Center Advisory Committee.
Mark enjoyed golfing for many years. Mark also loved motorcycling with very good friends. Mark and Deb put over 125,000 miles on four different Harleys. Mark was also an avid gun collector.
Mark was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Storm Lake. He helped many people in the program. Mark died with nearly 38 years of sobriety.
Preceding Mark in death were his parents; his uncle Herman Fuller, Jr.; his brother Matthew R. Cornish; his infant brother Peter Nels Cornish; his father-in-law Reverend J.D. Little; his mother-in-law Leona Little; his step mother-in-law Violet Little; his brothers-in-law, Stephen Little and Paul Little; and his childhood dog, Lucky.
Survivors include his wife Deborah S. Cornish; his children, Christopher L. (Nicole) Cornish and Justin R. (Miranda) Cornish; his stepchildren, Elizabeth R. Eller and Joshua R. Eller; his grandchildren: Harper R. Cornish, Emma L. Cornish and Cooper A. Jackson; sister Barbara J. Brooks; niece Christine E. Cornish; nephews: Brendan R. Cornish, John P. Cornish and Michael T. Cornish; and his “big brother,” King Richard Cole.
