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BORN
1936
DIED
2024
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Patricia Benda Obituary
Patricia Lucille Benda
March 26, 1936 - Feb. 4, 2024
ANKENY - Patricia Lucille Benda, 87, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2024, in Ankeny, Iowa. Pat was born on March 26, 1936, in Waseca, Minnesota to Mahlon and Lucille (Donovan) Greeney. She married her high school sweetheart, Mark, on October 22, 1955, in Waseca, Minnesota. Together they raised four children through their 65 years of marriage.
They made their home in Forest City, Iowa for 51 years. In 1974, Pat started working for the Forest City Community Schools as a kindergarten teacher assistant. She finished her 25-year career as a media assistant. In 2017, she and Mark moved to Ankeny, Iowa where they enjoyed being closer to family. Pat was proud of her Irish heritage, celebrating St. Patrick's Day for years by baking delicious Blarney Stones and always enjoying coffee with friends.
Pat is survived by her children, Pam (Cary) Christensen of Ankeny, Iowa, Chris (Jennifer) Benda of Gilbert, Iowa, Mary (Stan) Guthrie of Clive, Iowa, and Steve (Tammy) Benda of Ankeny, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Sara (Nick) Lupkes, Katie Christensen, Libby (Travis) Clark, Brynann (Chris) Alley, Jake Benda, Sammy Benda, and Taryn Guthrie; and seven great-grandchildren, Morgan, Adelyn, Hudson, and Isla Lupkes and Ellie, Payton, and Kinsley Clark. Also surviving are her sister, Mary Harter of Waseca, Minnesota; and brother-in-law, Jim (Anne) Benda of Brainerd, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Mark, in 2021.
The family has decided to hold a private Mass at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny, Iowa, to honor Pat in a more intimate and personal setting. Mass can be viewed via livestream at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at the following link: www.olih.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Unity Point Hospice.
Obituary online at www.AnkenyMemorial.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patricia Benda
Sponsored by Memorial Services of Iowa at Ankeny Memorial (MSI).
2 Entries
John Tibodeau
February 13, 2024
I worked with Pat many years at the elementary school - lots of laughter with Pat around! I grew up with what we called mocha cakes - until Pat corrected me - they are Blarney Stones she said. Always looked forward to them! My sympathies to her family, she was a special lady!!
John Tibodeau
Marla Betz
February 6, 2024
One of my favorite memories of Pat was when we attended a Wellness Conference in Spencer? or Spirit Lake and we had walked to a Dairy Queen with several other FC teachers/staff. Can't remember what brought on the laughter, but it was one of those hilarious moments and something that made us both laugh/smile many years later...just thinking about that moment and Pat's laugh makes me smile. Pat was a sweet lady, so kind and caring and always full of life. I feel blessed to have known her. My sympathies to the Benda family.
Marla Betz
FCHS Teacher
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Memorial Services of Iowa at Ankeny Memorial (MSI)4208 North Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50023
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