BEENKEN, Darlene S. 1932-2013

BEENKEN, WIEGMANN, WESSELS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/18/2015 at 18:58:48

Darlene S. Beenken, 81, of Morrison, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at her home in Morrison while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24th from 2 to 4 P.M. at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. The funeral service will be held on Monday, November 25th at 10:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Reinbeck with Pastor Mike Campbell officiating. Interment will be held at the Washington Township Cemetery in Morrison.

Darlene was born on June 8, 1932 in Bristow, Iowa, the youngest of 8 children born to Conrad & Sarah (Wessels) Wiegmann. She grew up in Butler County where she attended school in Bristow, graduating from the Bristow High School with the class of 1950. On November 1, 1953, Darlene was united in marriage to Herman Beenken in Franklin, Indiana where Herman was stationed in the service. The couple later relocated to Colorado where Herman was discharged from the United States Army. The two moved back to Iowa, living in New Hartford for a short time and then settling into Morrison in 1957. Darlene and Herman welcomed 4 children into their family.

She worked at the canning factory in Reinbeck, Richelieu Foods in Grundy Center, worked for Harold Peterson in Reinbeck in the egg processing industry, worked at the Morris Inn in Morrison and sorted mail at the Morrison Post Office for many years. Her main role was working at home, taking care of her family.

Darlene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Reinbeck and a member of the Grundy County Historical Society. She enjoyed cooking, canning, garage sales and loved to tell jokes. She loved spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Herman of Morrison; children Danny Beenken of Greene, IA, Sandy (Mark) Wilson of Traer, IA & Rod (Carla) Beenken of Reinbeck, IA; sister Bernice Krull of Greene; grandchildren Paula, Molly & Wes (Sue) Beenken, Brock (Katy) Wilson, Chris (Ashton) Wilson and Nick & Tyler Beenken; great-grandchildren Alli & Reid Beenken, Haydn & Myer Wilson and Karsyn Wilson; her special companion, her dog Molly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son Dennis Beenken; 4 sisters and 2 brothers.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)