James Francis Bienlien

BIENLIEN, COOLEY, BUCHHOLZ, HANSEN, MILLIGAN, VAN DER WOUDE, MOON

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 7/13/2021 at 10:35:39

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our father, James Francis Bienlien on June 21, 2021. He was a hardworking, kind, and intelligent man; a wonderful husband and father; who told us he felt grateful for a good, long life.

Dad was born May 4, 1938 in Holstein, Iowa to Walter and Margaret (Cooley) Bienlien and grew up in a family of 6 children: Mary Buchholz Hansen, Louis Buchholz, William Bienlien, Regina Bienlien, and Daniel Bienlien. He was the last surviving of his siblings.
He graduated from Iowa State University in 1960 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and in June of that year married his college sweetheart, Patricia Ann Milligan. They were happily married for 54 years, until Pat’s passing in 2014. Dad said marrying Mom was the best decision he ever made.

Dad enjoyed his 40 plus year career in Engineering, nearly two decades working for Honeywell in Freeport, Illinois, and later worked in Rockford and the Chicago suburbs. He loved his work and enjoyed helping others solve problems.

He is survived by his 3 daughters: Barbara Jayne (Steve) van der Woude of Iowa City, Iowa, Nancy Ann (Jeff) Moon of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Marjorie Kay Bienlien of Iowa City, Iowa; 2 grandchildren: Katherine Grace van der Woude of Denver, Colorado, and Sidney James van der Woude of Chicago, Illinois; as well as brothers and sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dad and Mom returned to Freeport for their retirement years, where they enjoyed reuniting with old friends, meeting new friends and neighbors, attending Community Concert programs, visiting Freeport parks, and hosting annual Kentucky Derby Parties on the lawn. Dad volunteered as a math tutor for GED students with the Freeport Community College and was a board member for the Freeport Public Library.

In honor of our dad, please consider supporting your local public library or tutoring a student in math. A private burial will be held for family in the Freeport Cemetery, where Dad will be laid to rest next to Mom.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

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