Louis J. Benda 1861-1941

BENDA, DODDS, CUMMINGS, TISS, CLAYPOOL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 2/27/2017 at 13:31:08

28 August 1941 - The Tipton Advertiser

The life of Louis J. Benda was the life of a Christian--a man with a deep sense of responsibility to his family and his neighbors. Louis Benda was born June 21, 1861. His early days were spent in Iowa City. As a young man he came to Cedar Bluffs in 1886 and entered business. Here he made many friends and here he met Mary E. Dodds, daughter of Doctor and Mrs. W. C. Dodds, and they were married January 20, 1892, nearly fifty years ago. Four children were born to them in Cedar Bluffs, Marie, Harold, Pauline and Marguerite. In 1906 the family moved to Iowa City, not so much for material gain, but to give the children education and opportunity. In Iowa City, more people joined the growing circle of those who could count on Louis Benda as a friend. He was long prominent in business and civic affairs, serving for a time as a member of the Board of Education. He was a Mason, deeply devoted to the Order.

He passed away August 21, 1941, at the home of his daughter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is survived by his widow, Mary E. Benda, and his four children, Harold Benda of Tama, Iowa, Mrs. Ray Cummings of Riverside, Iowa, Mrs. Wayne Tiss of Minneapolis, Minn., and Mrs. Harold Claypool of Williamsburg, and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Cedar Bluffs Church with the Rev. H. N. Poston of the Presbyterian Church in Tipton officiating. Burial was in the West Cedar Bluffs cemetery Sunday afternoon August 24, 1941.