NETLAND, Benjamin "Benjie" (1955-2009)

NETLAND, RAPP, OLTHOFF, WESTER, ABELE, NOBLE, ROBERTS, RASMUSON, WHITNEY, SELLERS, LAY

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 6/30/2013 at 12:33:27

Benjamin "Benjie" Netland, 54, a life long resident of Klemme, died on Sunday, June 21, 2009, at the Belmond Medical Center, Belmond, surrounded by his family, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 24, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements.

Benjamin Lars Netland, was born on June 21, 1955 at Klemme, the son of George and Shirley (Rapp) Netland. He was active with his family in the Klemme United Methodist Church where he was baptized. He attended Klemme Schools and
participated in basketball and was an excellent football player receiving recognition for his various accomplishments in that sport. He also
participated in recreational boxing. For many years he was a member of the Slippery Elm Golf Course. Benjamin married Eileen Olthoff on October 28, 1978 at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The couples union
was blessed with two daughters, Teresa and Kimberly.

For most of his career Benjie was employed in the manufacturing and restoration of clutches and other mechanisms of agricultural machinery.
Shortly after high school he was hired by Butler Manufacturing (BMD) in Klemme, where he was employed for more than 35 years. He then became a
partner and president of Theobald Manufacturing in Stacyville. A few years later the partnership sold the business.

Benjie enjoyed a life filled with family, friends and fellowship. He and Eileen looked forward to taking their girls and grandchildren on camping
excursions to McIntosh Woods State Park in Clear Lake and later to Lake Cornelia. His family will cherish memories of trips to the Kansas City Zoo,
Ocean's of Fun, and World's of Fun. Benjie was a big kid at heart and could often be found with the kids on the rides. His grandchildren looked forward to rides on his lawn tractors, spending time doing yard work and as his health deteriorated, watching movies. He shared his athletic talents with his daughter, Teresa and would help her train for the cross country team. He looked forward to almost any opportunity to be in the outdoors such as deer hunting, working on his small conservation area and pond, putting up a duck box, or working on his lawn.

Benjie was always tinkering in his garage and shop, listening to classic rock tunes. He loved vintage tractors and was a master at tearing down and rebuilding them from the ground up. Friends will miss time with Benjie doing flawless restorations. In recent years he had become a member of the North Iowa Antique Tractor Club. Benjie had a zest for life and lending his
knowledge and labor to help others. He will also be remembered for his positive outlook on life even in his difficult battle with cancer.

Survivors include his wife; daughters, Teresa Wester of Klemme and Kimberly (Jeremy) Abele of Klemme; his mother of Garner; brothers, Willard (Diane) Netland of Mesa, Arizona and Merlin Netland of Garner; sisters, Mary (Cecil) Noble of Garner, Marilyn (Duane) Roberts of Garner and Carolyn Rasmuson of Apache Junction, Arizona; grandchildren, Amanda Whitney, Michael Abele,
Kaitlyn Abele, Samantha Wester, Desarae Abele, Benjamin Wester and Dominic Abele; brother-in-law, Verlyn (Kathy) Olthoff of Klemme; and sister-in-law, Kathryn Sellars of Klemme; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless
friends.

He was preceded in death by his father; sisters, Karen Lay and Wanda Netland; brother, George Netland, Jr.; and brother-in-laws, Gayle Lay and Donnie Sellars.