James "Jim" Benson

James “Jim” Benson, 94, of State Center, entered into Heaven’s gates on the afternoon of July 29, 2022 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, Iowa, Surrounded by his loving family. Services for Jim will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home beginning at 10:30 A.M. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. The family invites those in attendance to wear their favorite Chicago Cubs or Iowa Hawkeyes attire or casual clothing. For those unable to attend a livestream of the service will be available for viewing. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jim and his family. James Claire Benson was born on May 1, 1928 to parents Herbert and Helen (Kerr) Benson in Marshalltown, Iowa. After his mother’s passing, he was raised by his step-mother, Kate (Kerr) Benson. Jim attended school in LaMoille, Iowa where he later graduated. In 1950, Jim enlisted in the United States Army where he served during the Korean War Conflict. After he was discharged from the Army, Jim met the love of his life, Greta. The two were united in marriage on June 10, 1954 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They combined their families and raised their seven children together. Jim was a lifelong farmer and a hard worker to support his family. He worked for Lynks seed as a seed corn salesman. In free time, he was a member of a variety of organizations including the LaMoille Congregational Church where he served many board positions, served on the West Marshall School Board, Lincoln Valley golf course board, a Washington Township trustee, handled the Elmwood Cemetery, was a member of Marshalltown Bowling Leagues, Church Softball leagues, and various athletic boards. Additionally, he was a member of the Marshalltown American Legion. His hobbies included cheering on the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, going golfing, bowling, going to coffee club meetings at various café’s, traveling, and annual ski trips with his entire family. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Roxanne (Don) Goecke, Tim (Darlene Thomas) Benson, Rod (Sherry) Benson, Becky (Kevin) Whitaker, Tammy (Jay) Flora, Jay (Nan) Benson and Brian Benson; grandchildren: Scott (Hillary) Goecke, Heather (Tim) Stanley, Brandon Benson, Alyssa (Joel) Randall, Alarie (Joe) Crouch, Blake (Brittney) Benson, Justin (Jeraco) Whitaker, Jared (Lindsay) Whitaker, Wade (Molly) Whitaker, Tara (Casey) Trine, Jenny (Brandon) Vinzant, Danielle (Nate) Smith, Josh (Natasha) Benson, Whitney (Dan) Brix, Elizabeth Benson (fiance Kyle Corbett), Emily (Jacob) Edleman and Nicole (Carter) Trager; great-grandchildren: Jake, Oliver, Sid, Samuel, Emma, Avery, Greta, Clara, Olivia, Ella, Nora, Jackson, Carson, Camden, Cora, Addi, Beau, Bia, Aidra, Layne, Drake, Cael, Brecken, Boden, Jacie, Kamry, Eden, Ira, Ozzy, Owen, Isaac, Ember, Porter, and Charlotte; his sister, Betty (Steve) Molle; alongside several nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife, the late Greta Benson; his parents, Herbert and Helen Benson; his step-mother Kate Benson; and his siblings, Elmer (Ardis) Benson, Charles (Isla) Benson, infant brother Ronald Benson, and Barbara (Bill) Baltisberger. The family wishes to thank the staff at Glenwood Place and Iowa River Hospice for the care given to Jim and his family. For those unable to attend, services will be available at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/. Please be patient as not all services begin promptly at the start time. If there are any technical difficulties with the livestream, a recording of the services will be uploaded to the page at a later time. Thank you for understanding!