Our Staff

Mark is originally from Algona and is a 2005 graduate of Bishop Garrigan High School. He received his Associate of Arts Degree from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids before graduating from the DMACC Mortuary Science Program in August of 2008. While in mortuary school, Mark worked as a student at Caldwell Parrish. Following college, he worked as a funeral director at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. In March of 2014, Mark rejoined the staff at Caldwell Parrish to fulfill his lifelong dream of owning a funeral home with his brother.

Mark is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 12432, Rotary Club of DMAM, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and Cremation Association of North America. Mark is also a Certified Crematory Operator by the National Funeral Directors Association and is licensed to write pre-need funeral contracts. He enjoys exercising, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.

John Parrish grew up in Algona, Iowa where he graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School in 2008. After high school, he attend Kirkwood Community College where he received his associate's degree in Business. John went on to Des Moines Area Community College and received his degree in Mortuary Science. John is a Certified Crematory Operator by the National Funeral Directors Association. He worked at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory as a Mortuary student. John worked at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City before returning to Caldwell Parrish.

John is a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, Knights of Columbus Council 12422, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and the Cremation Association of North America. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exercising, and golfing and is an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and New York Yankees fan.

Scott is an Iowa-licensed funeral director and embalmer.  As an Iowa native, he grew up in Spencer, IA where he graduated from Spencer High School.  Scott attended the University of Northern Iowa and then went on to graduate with his Associate of Mortuary Science Degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL.  He started his career as an apprentice funeral director with Chicago Jewish Funerals in the Chicagoland area and then worked for Kolbus-John V. May Funeral Home, Lawrence Funeral Home, The Elms Funeral Home, and Nelson Funeral Home, all in Chicagoland.  Scott furthered his career by becoming one of the youngest Managing Partners for Carriage Services in Nampa, Idaho at Alsip and Persons Funeral Home.

Since 2012, he has learned the importance of always giving 100% to every family.  Scott lives by the motto, "You only get one opportunity to perform the perfect funeral for a loved one!"

Scott and his wife, Samantha, have two daughters, Frankie & Scottie, and three adorable dogs: Sophie (English Lab), Sadie (Golden Retriever), and Stanley (English Cream Golden Retriever).

His family are parishioners at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his growing family, golfing, being involved in the community, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Shannon grew up on a farm south of Ogden and is a 1996 graduate of Ogden Community High School.  After high school, she attended Iowa State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Services in 2001.  Following college, she worked for the Iowa Department of Public Health for seven years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. 

Shannon joined the staff at Caldwell Parrish in the fall of 2016 and has been the pre-arrangement coordinator since 2019. She is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Rotary Club of Northwest Des Moines. Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and cheering for the Iowa State Cyclones. 

John Parrish grew up in Algona, Iowa where he graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School in 2008. After high school, he attend Kirkwood Community College where he received his associate's degree in Business. John went on to Des Moines Area Community College and received his degree in Mortuary Science. John is a Certified Crematory Operator by the National Funeral Directors Association. He worked at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory as a Mortuary student. John worked at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City before returning to Caldwell Parrish.

John is a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, Knights of Columbus Council 12422, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and the Cremation Association of North America. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exercising, and golfing and is an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and New York Yankees fan.

Alex is a native of Chariton, Iowa, and a graduate of Chariton High School in 2013. Upon Graduation, he attended the University of Iowa and in 2017 obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. Following his time at Iowa, Alex pursued a degree in Mortuary Science from Des Moines Area Community College. After graduation, He served his internship at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines. Alex joined Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory in 2019.

Alex enjoys being outdoors as much as possible by hunting and being active. Alex and his wife Lexi love to spoil their fur baby Winston. Alex is a member of the Winterset Rotary Club and looks forward to serving the community of Winterset.

Tom is a native of Winterset and a graduate of Winterset High School.  He attended the University of Iowa, and Drake University and graduated with a Mortuary Science degree from Miami-Dade Community College in Miami, FL. He began his practice with his father, Rival W. Collins, at Collins Funeral Home in Winterset.  He has since kept with the business practice for over 40 years.

Tom and his wife, Terri, have three daughters, and two granddaughters.  His family keeps him busy, but he finds time to go jogging and play pool with his friends.  As a member of the Winterset Lion’s Club, he participates as a “specialty crew member” for their annual variety show.  He is also a Board Trustee for the Madison County Memorial Hospital.

Shannon grew up on a farm south of Ogden and is a 1996 graduate of Ogden Community High School.  After high school, she attended Iowa State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Services in 2001.  Following college, she worked for the Iowa Department of Public Health for seven years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. 

Shannon joined the staff at Caldwell Parrish in the fall of 2016 and has been the pre-arrangement coordinator since 2019. She is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Rotary Club of Northwest Des Moines. Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and cheering for the Iowa State Cyclones. 

Katie Fitzsimmons is a first-generation funeral director and a native of Guthrie Center, Iowa. She attended Guthrie Center High School and graduated with the class of 2011.  After graduation, Katie received a certified nursing assistant diploma and worked for Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa for many years. 

In 2013, Katie suffered the loss of her fiancé in a car accident and she switched her career focus from nursing to becoming a funeral director. She graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with her Associate’s Degree in General Education in 2016 and Mortuary Science degree in 2017.

Katie joined Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in 2024 and is excited to call Perry her home.

After losing a loved one herself, Katie acknowledges the true gift in honoring a life well lived. She is very dedicated to her profession and is committed to provide impeccable care and respect to each and every family.

Katie is married to her husband, Matthew and they have a daughter, Lilah and son, Holsten.