Wayne Bennett

Wayne Bennett

Ida Grove

Wayne D. Bennett, age 87, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Kristin D. Boysen will officiate. Family graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2015 at the Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Wayne D. Bennett was born on November 7, 1927 in Schaller, Iowa, the son of Wilbur and Blanche (Neal) Bennett. He grew up on a farm southwest of Schaller and farmed with his brother Bruce south of Galva.

In 1972 Wayne was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. He served a total of ten terms in the House of Representatives, from 1973 to 1993 and was ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee. Wayne was then elected to serve in the Iowa State Senate, where he served one term from 1993 to 1997.

Wayne was very active in many agricultural and community organizations including 4-H, Farm Bureau, Soil Conservation District, and the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Wayne was a faithful member of Silver Creek United Methodist Church and acted as a former Lay Leader.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Barbara Bennett; and wife, Jean Bennett.

Survivors include his children, Dr. Gary (Rev. Betsy) Bennett of Hastings, Nebraska, and Candice Bennett of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren, Dr. Emily Bennett (Dr. Benjamin Waller), Andrew Bennett, and Pearl Bennett; one great-grandchild on the way; brother, Bruce (Marlys) Bennett; and sister, Barbara (Robert) Ruchensky and extended family and friends.