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Edward Frank Benz

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Edward Frank Benz

Birth	:	25 Dec 1923 Melvin, Osceola County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	24 Nov 2015 Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA
Burial	:	Calvary Cemetery, Laurens, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.8403015, -94.8368988
Description	:	Ed Benz - age 91, of Laurens, Iowa passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Edward Frank Benz was born December 25, 1923 in Melvin, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Hanna Benz. He grew up in Melvin, graduated from Melvin High School and attended Iowa State University. With the outbreak of World War II, he tried to enlist three times, each time being rejected for medical reasons. So he decided to help build the trans Alaskan highway system instead. For a... Read More	Ed Benz - age 91, of Laurens, Iowa passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Edward Frank Benz was born December 25, 1923 in Melvin, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Hanna Benz. He grew up in Melvin, graduated from Melvin High School and attended Iowa State University. With the outbreak of World War II, he tried to enlist three times, each time being rejected for medical reasons. So he decided to help build the trans Alaskan highway system instead. For a young man from Iowa, this was quite an adventure. In 1944, after returning to Iowa, he met Betty Schubert. Six months later, they were wed on June 10, 1945 in Sanborn, Iowa. Ed and Betty were married for 62 years. In 1952, they bought Schubert’s Clothing in Laurens. Ed was an accomplished clothier, opening 7 stores throughout northwestern Iowa and mentoring numerous partners with his inimitable combination of business and interpersonal skills. He served as President of Iowa Retail Clothiers in the 1980s, one of a select number of clothiers extended this honor. Laurens was not just a town to Ed. It was his home and he promoted this busy little community throughout his adult life. Ed served as President of the Laurens Industrial Foundation, Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. He served on many other boards and projects too numerous to mention. He never sought recognition. He just pitched in and did what was asked of him. A natural leader, he approached his community service with a positive attitude and innate optimism. He made most anything seem achievable. He taught his four children that it is important to step up and lead…and just as important to step away and let others lead. This seemed to work well for him and for the town of Laurens. After 20 years of marriage, Ed converted to Catholicism because “I wanted to go to church with my family”. Before long, he was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and in charge of the Catholic cemetery. He had a knack for planting trees, trimming bushes, cultivating flowers and always planted a vegetable garden. If he wasn’t in his own yard, he could be found in someone else’s, often delivering the fruits of his labors. Ed was very lucky in love. He and Betty raised four children, managing to keep their marriage vibrant. They shared great friendships with the people of Laurens, taking time to nurture these friendships and have such fun. Ed took such good care of Betty during her last years of illness, never seeing it as a burden and always as a privilege. What an inspiration to his children! After Betty died in 2007, he was fortunate to fall in love again…with Phyllis Anderson. She brought him renewed joy and again, he was having fun. This loving relationship continued until the day he died, and his family will always be grateful to Phyllis for keeping him vibrant and ever young. Throughout his life, Ed was an avid traveler. He visited most every state in the union, spending time fishing, hunting, socializing, observing, exploring. Travels took him to Europe and beyond, soaking up culture and information along the way. Wherever he might be, his keen intellect, innate curiosity and ability to engage served him well. Ed loved Mexico and Lake Okoboji particularly, as well as a little rustic cabin in Baby Lake, Minnesota passed down from his parents. He was a bit of a philosopher, but never dull. A listener, but never a lecturer. He advised without controlling and his patience and tolerance seemed unending. A mistake was just another opportunity to learn. Not a catastrophe. He was a keen businessman, and yet immensely generous. And through all of life’s vagaries, he maintained a delightful sense of humor, an ability to laugh at himself or the foibles of life, with a joke or story not far behind. Ed was both interesting and interested, a very rare human being indeed. To his family and friends, Ed is irreplaceable. Ever kind and ever the optimist, he was one of the nicest, kindest, most decent men ever to grace this earth. A hero to his children and to those who knew him well, we all felt lucky to have been in his sphere. We will most especially miss his smile. It always, always made us want to smile back! Survivors include his children - Deborah (Buzz) Miller of Rochester, MN; Scott (Barbara) Benz of Lake City, IA; and Shelley (Dean) Bussey of Chanhassen, MN; grandchildren - Chad (Heidi) Miller, Erin (Ric) Martin, David Miller, Sarah Benz, Emily (Nate) Daedlow, and Jennifer, Mark, David and Alex Bussey. Great grandchildren - Dane, Bennett and Ella Miller, and Irie Daedlow. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, his daughter Kimberly Benz, his grandson Kevin Miller and his siblings, John and Evelyn.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Edward Frank Benz's memorial?
Edward Frank Benz's memorial is located at: Calvary Cemetery, Laurens, Pocahontas County, USA.
When did Edward Frank Benz death?
Edward Frank Benz death on 24 Nov 2015 in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Edward Frank Benz's memorial?
Latitude: 42.8403015
Longitude: -94.8368988

Family Members:

Parent

Thomas Ernest Benz

(1891 - 1982)

Johanna Henderina Rudloff Benz

(1899 - 1984)

Spouse

Betty Rose Schubert Benz

(1926 - 2007)

Siblings

John William Benz

(1919 - 1981)

Evelyn Mae “Evie” Benz Timmons

(1921 - 2010)

Children

Kimberly Ann Benz

(1957 - 1973)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Calvary Cemetery
Laurens, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8403015, -94.8368988

2. Laurens Cemetery
Laurens, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8438988, -94.8330994

3. Swan Lake Cemetery
Laurens, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8511009, -94.8925018

4. Garton Family Cemetery
Marathon, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8297000, -94.9334500

5. Marshall Cemetery
Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7633018, -94.8930969

6. Washington Cemetery
Havelock, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8363250, -94.7091440

7. Fairfield Cemetery
Albert City, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7783012, -94.9692001

8. Poland Township Cemetery
Marathon, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8610992, -94.9916992

9. Smith Cemetery
Albert City, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8142014, -94.9925003

10. Rush Lake Cemetery
Rush Lake Township, Palo Alto County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9497185, -94.7383270

11. Garfield Township Cemetery
Webb, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9538994, -94.9392014

12. Dover Township Cemetery
Varina, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6896100, -94.8524200

13. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Rush Lake Township, Palo Alto County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9560000, -94.6980000

14. Saint John's Lutheran Cemetery
Albert City, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7200920, -94.9947630

15. Calvary Cemetery
Pocahontas, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7335000, -94.6597000

16. Summit Hill Cemetery
Pocahontas, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7315000, -94.6595000

17. Ellington Cemetery
Ellington Township, Palo Alto County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9377000, -94.6240400

18. Powhatan Cemetery
Plover, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8557396, -94.5801773

19. Osborn Cemetery
Webb, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9346918, -95.0608244

20. Saint Columbkilles Cemetery
Varina, Pocahontas County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6467018, -94.8443985

21. Silver Lake Cemetery
Silver Lake Township, Palo Alto County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0386009, -94.8597031

22. Saint Johns Church Of Christ Cemetery
Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7108002, -95.0428009

23. Calvary Cemetery
Silver Lake Township, Palo Alto County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0386009, -94.8613968

24. Varina Cemetery
Newell Township, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6539993, -94.9339981