Benda, Agnes E. 'Aggie'

Agnes E. “Aggie” Benda, 96, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, died Sunday, August 22, 2010, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, Kan. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City. Visitation also will be held beginning at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories in Cedar Rapids, with the service beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will host a light reception at Cedar Memorial Family Center following the burial.

Memorials may be directed to the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids, or the charity of one's choice.

Agnes was born Jan. 23, 1914, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Mike and Marie (Linek) Stejskal. Raised in Cedar Rapids, Agnes married George H. Benda on Feb. 6, 1937, in Cedar Rapids. Moving to Iowa City in 1951, Agnes worked as a sales clerk for Sears and Roebuck, Willards and Rosheks Department Stores. She retired in 1976. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Kan., and a former member of American Business Women's Association.

Survivors include her daughter, Janet Byars (Jack) of Manhattan, Kan.; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Byars, Steven Byars (Michelle) and Julie Byars; two great-granddaughters, Marin Michelle Byars and Sierra Jane Byars; and several nieces and nephews.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2001; brothers, Joseph and Frank Stejskal; and sisters, Rose Dryml and Ann Shulista.

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