Benjamin Kirk

Benjamin Kirk, 75, longtime Madison County farmer and Winterset resident, most recently of Story City, died Monday, October 22nd, at the Israel Hospice House in Ames.Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 29th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Bobby Shomo officiating. He will be laid to rest at 3:00 p.m. at the Winterset Cemetery. Friends may call at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home from 2-4:00 p.m. on Sunday. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Ben and his family. Ph 641-844-1234. Born on March 30th, 1932, at home in Clarke County, Iowa, he was the son of John and Wilma (McChesney) Kirk. He received his education in the area of his birth. Mr. Kirk served our country honorably in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. On August 11th, 1951, in Winterset, he was united in marriage to Virginia Ragan. They farmed in Union County until he left for service and moved to the family farm in Madison County on March 1, 1955, where they spent the next 50 years. The couple moved to Osceola for a shortime and most recently Story City to be near his son and family. Mr. Kirk was a former member of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star in Lorimor, the National Farmers Organization and the American Legion. Mr. Kirk, a born farmer, loved his family- especially treasuring the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even until his final hours, he kept note on the alfalfa and hay fields near his home in Story City and enjoyed farm reports, reading farm magazines, and always a good meal. Left to celebrate his life are his loving wife of 56 years, Virginia, three sons: Craig (Cindy) Kirk of Story City, Mike (Karen) Kirk of Marshalltown and Doug (Linda) Kirk of Murray, Iowa, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, his siblings: Raymond Kirk of Chariton, Helen Powers of Winterset, Patricia (David) Grandfield of Lorimor, Larry (Mildred) Kirk of Lorimor, Ronnie (Ann) Kirk of Lorimor, and Barbara (Bill) Waller of Oskaloosa, several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. In death he has rejoined his parents and a brother Max.