Benda, Leo Bernard

Leo Bernard Benda, 93, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Toledo, passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids under the care of St. Luke's Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, where a rosary will be recited at 3:45 p.m. and a vigil service held at 7 p.m.

Leo was born Sept. 9, 1920, in rural Toledo, Iowa, the son of John and Agnes (Staricky) Benda. He received his education in the rural schools and graduated from Toledo High School in 1938. In 1948, he was united in marriage to Jean Hagerty at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. They lived on a farm 6 1/2 miles northeast of Toledo, where they operated a Grade A dairy farm.

Leo was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, Knights of Columbus and K.D. Lodge. He served on the St. Patrick Parish Council and the C.C.D. board. He also served on the Tama County Dairy Herd Improvement Association board and the Marshall County Milk Dealers Co-op.

Leo was one of the five original members of the executive board on the Toledo Community Theatre Guild that reopened the Wieting Theatre in 1960. He served on the South Tama County school board for six years. Leo was elected to the Tama County Board of Supervisors twice and served eight years, representing the third district of Tama County.

Survivors include his children, Rick Benda of Levittown, Pa., Debbie Enger of Carol Stream, Ill., Diane (Pat) Allee of Freeport, Ill., and MaryLynne (Ray) Shea of St. Charles, Mo.; his daughter-in-law, Maureen Benda of Peachtree City, Ga.; 15 grandchildren, Eric, Katie and Bridget Benda, Leslie (Nick) Perez, Greg (Natasha) Benda and Stephen Benda, Andrea (Joe) Royster, Dan (Lindsey) Enger, Drew and Derek Enger, Matt (Maryam) Allee, Paula (Matt) Smith, McKenzie, Madeleine and Ray Shea III; 10 great-grandchildren, Henry, Isabella, Simon, David and Olivia Benda, Claire and Emmett Perez, Preston Benda, Mason and Eliza Royster; and two sisters, Marcella (Douglas) Parker of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Sister Ludmilla Benda of Davenport.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Jean in 2008; two sons, Danny in 1954 and Mark in 2009; son-in-law, Randy Enger in 2008; two brothers, Cyril and John Benda; and two sisters, Hilda Zmolek and Martha Strachota.

Leo's family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of Higley Mansion Residential Care Center for their loving kindness and comfort given to Leo.

A memorial fund has been established.

Published Nov. 16, 2013 in The Gazette