Robert Benner

Robert Bob Benner, 78, of State Center, died Monday, January 13th, 2014 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday January 17th, 2014 at First United Presbyterian Church in State Center. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday January 16th, 2014 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Born on March 5th, 1935, on the family farm at State Center, he was the son of Paul and Frances (Eddy) Benner. He graduated from the State Center High Schools Class of 1953 and later attended Iowa State University. Bob served our country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to State Center, he stopped at the lumber yard where a young Joanne Sparks was employed. In 1959, the two were united in marriage at the State Center Presbyterian Church. They made their home at State Center all of their married lives where he farmed. Bob had also worked on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway a couple of years after high school. Mr. Benner was a member of the State Center Presbyterian Church and the State Center Investment Club as well as serving as a volunteer for MMSC and the Iowa River Hospice. Left to cherish his memory are Joanne, his loving wife of 54 years, his daughters: Michele (Steve) Henze of the Dike area and Sheryl (David) Sutherland of Gilman, three grandchildren: Jack, Emma and Jared, his sisters: Penny Loerke of Ridgway, Colorado and Jean (Merle) Buck of Columbia, Missouri and sisters-in-law: Evelyn Sparks of Nevada, Ina Mae Sparks of Wisconsin, Virginia Clemons of State Center, Maxine Phyllis Mohr of Ferguson and Nola (Laverne) German of State Center, two brothers-in-law: Russell Sparks of Mexico, MO and John (Terry) Sparks of State Center as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. In death, Bob rejoined his parents and brother-in-law Dr. Bob Loerke, Jim Sparks, Floyd Sparks, Roger Sparks, Bill Clemons, John Mohr, Don Sparks and sisters-in-law Virginia Sparks, Mary Sparks and Betty Sparks.