Jackson, Marcella Josephine

Marcella Josephine Jackson

Marcella Josephine (Benfer) Jackson of Cedar, Rapids, Iowa, passed away June 3, 2013, after a short illness. Born Marcella Benfer in Vinton, Iowa, May 4, 1919, to Leslie and Hazel Benfer. She married Ralph E. Jackson, Oct. 5, 1941 and recently celebrated 71 years of marriage.

Survivors include husband, Ralph; daughter, Carol Trentham, Beaver Dam, Wis.; son, Ron (Linda) Jackson, Hideaway, Texas; granddaughters, Melody Trentham, Milwaukee, Wis., Robyn (Lance) Trentham, Columbus, Wis. and Erin Jackson, San Antonio, Texas; great-grandchildren, Chaz Wesenburg and Essie Jo Kaftanski; sister, Beverly Benfer, Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Joyce Jackson, Sarasota, Fla.; special family friends, Patricia Schroder and Evelyn Dunston; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Marcella was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Don and Stanley; and son-in-law, Charles Trentham.

She was a member of Kenwood Park United Methodist Church for over 60 years, charter and lifelong member of The Vinton Club and belonged to the ladies Shrine Auxiliary. Marcella and Ralph enjoyed many years with square dancing and camping clubs and spent 22 winters in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. She worked for 20 years at Downing Box before retiring. Affectionately known to family as “Sis,” her love and joy were family and friends and enjoyed travel, square dancing, knitting, cooking and photo collecting.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, June 7, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, 4200 First Ave., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, followed by a memorial service, burial and reception.

Memorials may be made to Kenwood Park United Methodist Church.

Published in The Gazette June 5, 2013.