Benda, Kenneth J. 1918-2007

BENDA, POSEKANY, ROUDABUSH, JENKINS, BROSNAHAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/2/2014 at 17:10:53

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Oct. 4, 2007

KENNETH J. BENDA

Kenneth J. Benda, 88, of Grinnell died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service was held Thursday, Oct. 4, at the United Church of Christ-Congregational with the Rev. Susan Meier and the Rev. Clyde Leimberer officiating. Casket bearers were Gene Goodman, Brian Haskell, Don Henning, Jerry Henning, Alan Knaack and Brian Veach. Interment was in Hazelwood Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be made to the Kenneth J. Benda Memorial Fund to benefit college scholarships. Online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.smithfh.com.

He was born Nov. 9, 1918, in rural Brooklyn, the son of James and Rose Posekany Benda. He was raised on the family farm, attending rural Jefferson Township #4 School near his home. He graduated from Hartwick High School with the class of 1936 and from Iowa State University in Ames in 1940 with a degree in Forestry. He was united in marriage with Lucille Roudabush in Lancaster, Mo., on July 5, 1941. He served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II on the USS Sangamon in the Pacific theater of war.

He began working at the Hartwick State Bank in Hartwick in 1946, eventually purchasing controlling shares of the bank in 1954. He retired as president of the bank in 1991, continuing to serve on its board of directors until his death. He also served as Commander of the Iowa Department of the American Legion from 1956 to 1957; as an Iowa State Senator from 1962 to 1970; as chairman of the Iowa Commerce Commission from 1970 to 1971, and as President of the Independent Bankers Association of America from 1975 to 1976.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lucille Benda of Grinnell; his daughter Barbara Benda Jenkins of Amherst, Mass.; his son, Jim Benda of Des Moines; one granddaughter; one great granddaughter and one sister, Alberta Brosnahan of Brooklyn. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Arnold Benda.