Lyle Benjamin “Ben” Huhn (1944-2017)

HUHN, ODONNELL, SCHNETTER, STEFFES, MAYROSE, KELSH, HATCHETT

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 6/3/2017 at 17:15:56

Obituary from Dahn & Woodhouse Funeral Home, Coon Rapids, Iowa.

Lyle Benjamin “Ben” Huhn, age 72, of Coon Rapids passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at his home in Coon Rapids.

A Celebration of Ben’s Life will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Coon Rapids American Legion. The family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service. A reception and time to share memories will follow the service. Military honors will be conducted by the Coon Rapids American Legion. Burial will in the Nevada Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids.

Born on May 11, 1944 in Ames, IA, Ben was the son of Gaylon and Irene (O’Donnell) Huhn. He was the fourth of five siblings. Ben graduated from Ames High School in 1962 and then joined the US Navy in July of 1962 and served four years stationed in Rota, Spain. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Ben attended Iowa State University and worked in Ames. Ben reenlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971 and was stationed in the Philippines. He was a C 130 Crew Chief and spent a great deal of time in Thailand as well. Following his four years of service in the Air Force, he finished his Bachelor of Science degree in Farm Management graduating from Iowa State in 1973. Ben worked several jobs until 1980 when he moved to Coon Rapids and was employed by the Garst Company. He was married to Karen Schnetter on July 31, 1982 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. Karen had two children, Brian and Tina, from her previous marriage. The couple remained in Coon Rapids for three years before buying 40 acres of land 13 miles south of Coon Rapids in Guthrie County. They put in a great deal of time and effort to build the acreage from all trees, to a 2.5 acre pond with a double wide trailer hidden within the trees. Ben worked for the Garst Company until 1987 when he went to work for Case IH Dealerships in Audubon and Grand Junction. Upon his retirement, Ben did over the road trucking for several companies. His last job was driving for John Nielsen Trucking out of Coon Rapids until he retired in 2007 because of declining health. Ben and Karen moved back into Coon Rapids in September of 2009. Ben enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards with family and friends, and giving his dog Heidi a run on the golf cart. Ben was a member of the Coon Rapids American Legion Post #357.

Ben is survived by his wife Karen of Coon Rapids and children Brian Schnetter of Johnston; Brian’s daughter Michaela of Otho; Tina Steffes (Ed) of Manning; three sisters: Sandra Mayrose (Vern) of West Lafayette, IN, Ginger Kelsh of Spokane, WA, and Marti Hatchett of Highlands Ranch, CO; a brother Ronald Huhn of Nevada, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents Gaylon and Irene Huhn; two brothers-in-law John Hatchett and Dennis Kelsh; and many other relatives.