VAN BENSCHOTEN, Vincent L. 1926-2003

VAN BENSCHOTEN, BARNETT, HODGES

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/10/2009 at 20:39:39

CHARLES CITY, IOWA - Vincent L. Van Benschoten 76, of 2104 E. Clark St., Charles City, died Friday (Aug. 8, 2003) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, with his wife and daughter by his side. It had been a long "goodbye."

The family appreciates all the care, concern, support and prayers that they have received during Vincent's lengthy illness. Vince has donated his mortal remains to the Des Moines Osteopathic College as a final token of his giving nature. No formal services are planned.

Those wishing to honor Vince with memorials may contribute to the Charles City Arts Center "Handicap Elevator Fund," (It is necessary for our beautiful Carnegie Building to remain an arts center) 301 N. Jackson St., Charles City, Iowa 50616, or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd St. NE, Mason City, Iowa 50401.

Vince was one of five children born to the Rev. Alfred A. and Dolly Ellen (Barnett) Van Benschoten, Sr. He was born on October 20, 1926, at Fairbanks, Iowa. He graduated from Burlington High School. Vince served in the United States Army from May of 1951 to May of 1954. He was responsible for training troops for the Korean War.

On December 27, 1956, he was united in marriage to his love, Doris Hodges at the Bethel Baptist Church in Marble Rock. They enjoyed taking walks in the outdoors and he built their first home. His carpentry skills also furnished the home with furniture and it became a life long hobby as well as his job. He was employed as a custodian at the Marble Rock School and then was assigned district-wide for the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School System.

He was instrumental in the remodeling at most of the schools and built the "crow's-nest" at the football field in Rockford, which only recently needed some repairs.

Although Vince was not a person to be in the limelight, he served his community of Marble Rock as a volunteer firefighter and served on the city council. He also volunteered for many years with the Girl Scouts at Camp Tanglefoot in Clear Lake, assisting in setting up and tearing down the camp while his daughter was in Scouts.

Surviving Vince are his wife, Doris of 46 years; their daughter Shawn Van Benschoten, Faribault, Minn.; and one sister Ruth Van Benschoten, Birmingham, Alabama.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Rose Mary Hildebrand; and two brothers, Dr. Ethan Van Benschoten, M.D., and Dr. Rev. Alfred Van Benschoten.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 228-4211.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]