BEENKEN, Herman L. 1931-2017

BEENKEN, UHLENHOPP, WIEGMANN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:14

Herman Lutjen Beenken, 86, of Morrison, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital, while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Reinbeck, Iowa. Burial will be held at Washington Township Cemetery, Morrison, Iowa with Military Honors conducted by the Reinbeck American Legion Post # 242 and Lincoln AMVETS Post 10. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Herman was born on February 8, 1931 in Grundy County, Iowa to his parents Lutjen and Mary (Uhlenhopp) Beenken. After graduating from school, Herman enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1950 until 1953 during the Korean War. He served in Japan under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. On November 1, 1953 he was united in marriage to Darlene Wiegmann. The couple relocated to Colorado where Herman was honorably discharged from the Army. The two moved back to Iowa, living in New Hartford for a short time and then settling in Morrison in 1957. Herman and Darlene welcomed four children into their family.

Herman worked at Rath Packing in Waterloo, Iowa for a number of years. He also was a farm hand for several local farms. He then began his career as a maintenance worker at John Deere for 24 years, retiring on February 28, 1991. He was a member of the Lincoln, Iowa AMVETS Post 10 and the Reinbeck American Legion Action Post #242.

Herman enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing and boating. He especially enjoyed boating with his family and friends on the Shell Rock River in Greene, Iowa. He also enjoyed rebuilding and restoring cars. He loved playing the harmonica and after a few drinks he was good at it. Herman was proud to be a part of the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. which was held on May 6, 2014.

Herman is survived by his children Danny Beenken of Greene, Iowa, Sandy (Mark) Wilson of Traer, Iowa and Rod (Carla) Beenken of Reinbeck, Iowa; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brothers Robert, Lutjen and Dick Beenken; sisters Cathy Barnes, Mary Ralston, Jo Coffman and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Darlene; his son Dennis; and his brothers.

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