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Cherry Darlene Benhart
CHERRY DARLENE BENHART
Clive
Cherry Darlene Benhart passed away at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa, on June 13, 2016, at the age of 90. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 20, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, with a brief visitation at 10:30 a.m. before the ceremony. Burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cherry was born in rural Troy Mills, Iowa, on Oct. 18, 1925. Her parents were Donald McKee and Lois McKee (Cherry). She was named for her mother's maiden name. She grew up in Walker and graduated from Walker High School in 1943. Cherry played basketball for her high school team. She enjoyed sports her entire life. Cherry was united in marriage to Leonard Benhart on April 9, 1949, in Cedar Rapids. Cherry was a consummate homemaker. She was a wonderful mother, meticulous housekeeper and a great cook. They lived in Cedar Rapids until moving to Clive in June 2012. Cherry and Len loved sports, and she was his biggest fan in the early years when he played baseball in the M & J League for Iowa Manufacturing Co. She also enjoyed attending sports events for her sons and grandchildren. They had always been great Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fans. Cherry loved watching professional basketball games. She also enjoyed music and attending dances with Len.
Cherry is survived by Leonard and their three sons, Kenneth (Karen) of West Des Moines, Gary of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Randy of Smyrna, Ga. She also is survived by nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Eric) Edelheit of Glenview, Ill., Michelle (Tom) Rodemyer of Ankeny, Rob Benhart, Bryan Benhart and John Benhart of Pittsburgh, Matt Benhart, Stephanie (Robert) Wallace, Jon Benhart and Rachael Benhart of the Atlanta area; and seven great-grandchildren, Caroline Edelheit, Josh Edelheit, Evan Rodemyer, Adelyn Rodemyer, Bailey Benhart, Riley Benhart and Sophia Benhart. Cherry is survived by her brothers, Grant (Marcella) McKee and Robert (Jean) McKee; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cherry was preceded in death by her parents.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.cedarmemorial.com.
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