Benjamin John Bryant Sr.

BENJAMIN JOHN BRYANT SR.

Norwalk

Benjamin John Bryant Sr., 81, formerly of Solon, passed away on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, peacefully at home while surrounded by his wife and four children from complications of Alzheimer's. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken

place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 15, at the Boat Club in Clarksville, Mo.

Ben was born on Oct. 16, 1939, at home

in Clarksville, Mo. The son of Benjamin Witten and Ruth Ellen Bryant. Ben graduated from Clopton High School in 1957. Ben was united in marriage on April 6, 1958, to Janet (Hoffy) Holtsford and they spent 25 wonderful years together and from this marriage, four children were born. After losing his first wife, Ben married Diane Brewster and they spent 37 years together. Ben spent many years in Clarksville, where he owned and operated Bryant Milling Feed and Supply. From there

he worked in the automobile business at Gentry Bryant Ford and then he spent many years in the feed sales business. His feed career led him to many places, but the last stop was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. However, after retiring and moving to Norwalk, Iowa, Ben reentered the realty business as a broker-owner of Associated Realty. He was a kind man who never met a stranger. Ben had a way with people, that's why they called him "Gentle Ben." Ben loved to play golf, fish, and spend

time with his family. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Bryant; four children from his first marriage, Debbie (Mick) Kindley of Madison, Wis., Dana (Jake) Hansen of Ely, Iowa, Ben (Kathy) Bryant of Estero, Fla., Robert (Tina) Bryant of Marion, Iowa; two stepchildren, Angie (Matt) Elliott of Cumming, Iowa, and Jamie Mahan of Beaverdale, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Janet (Eric) Romanowicz of River Falls, Wis., Chris Kindley of Pardeeville, Wis., Samantha Silverstein of Bellevue, Ky., Michael (Lisa) Silverstein

of Charlotte, N.C., Maddie (Mitch) Hansen of Tipton, Iowa, Taylor Bryant of Estero, Fla., Kamryn Bryant of Estero, Fla., and Conner Bryant of Bellevue, Neb.; four stepgrandchildren, Katie (Justin) Kraft of Chanhassen, Minn., Jacob Elliott of St. Charles, Iowa, Cassie Elliott and Jackson Elliott of Cumming, Iowa; two great-grandchildren, Lucas and Elena Romanowicz of River Falls, Wis.; two sisters, Becky Powell, Knoxville, Tenn., and Mary Ann (Dennis) Fox, Clarksville, Mo.; and one brother, Ronnie (Phyllis) Bryant, Perryville, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet (Hoffy) Bryant, in 1983; and his parents, Witten and Ruth Bryant.

Memorials in Ben's memory may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, UnityPoint Hospice of Des Moines or the Animal Rescue League.