Bob Benson

BOB BENSON

Center Point

Bob D. Benson, 80, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, with a visitation from noon to 3 p.m., at Rowley First United Methodist Church, 201 Rowley St.

Survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of 61 years, Virginia; four children, Steve (Laurel) Benson of Lee's Summit, Mo., Sheryl (Bob) Gates and Alan (Connie) Benson, all of Cedar Rapids, and Annette (Keith) Brooks of Indianola; nine grandchildren, Melissa (Jeremy) Larsen, Brad (Tranay) Benson, Reed (Leah) Benson, Dustin Brooks, Trevor Benson, Grant Benson, Clinton (fiancee Amanda) Brooks, Briana (Robby) Grulkey and Kay Benson; seven great-grandchildren, Julien and Adrien Larsen, Addison and Zoey Benson, Emma Benson and Sophia and Haidyn Grulkey; siblings, Violet Haars, Velma (Vernon) Roseberry, Helen (Ed) Wall, Ann Comried and Patricia Sherman; brothers-in-law, Wayne Carver, William (Robyn) Benson and Kenneth (Patricia) Benson; sister-in-law, Verla (Don) Cole; and brother-in-law, Lowell (Joyce) Dauenbaugh. Plus many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Doyle and Vera Benson; sister, Barbara Carver; and brothers-in-law, James Sherman and Raymond Haars.

Bob married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Dauenbaugh, on June 29, 1952. Bob farmed for several years and also worked at Linkbelt Speeder and Iowa Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids. They moved to Rowley, Iowa, in 1958. Bob drove a mixer mill for McCright Produce from 1959-61. From 1961-71, he drove a truck for Farm Service delivering fuel to customers in Buchanan County and surrounding areas. In 1971, Bob became co-owner of West Side Implement (Massey Ferguson) in Independence, Iowa. Bob and Virginia moved to Independence in 1980. In 1985, he left West Side and drove a semi for Tepol out of Solon, Iowa, and Wieland & Sons in Winthrop, Iowa. Bob retired in 2000 and they moved back to their hometown of Center Point in 2002.

Bob was a member of Rowley First United Methodist Church for 51 years and was a member of Mason Holman Lodge No. 593. While living in Rowley, Bob was very active with his church and community, serving on the school board, fire department, town council and as Sunday school teacher.

Bob was very proud of his whole family and especially enjoyed attending his kids and grandkids school functions and family gatherings. He made friends very easily and would always lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Bob will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233; or to the Rowley First United Methodist Church, 201 Rowley St, Rowley, IA 52329.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.