Richard "Dick" Bengtson

Richard (Dick) Lee Bengtson of Grimes, Ia., passed away Nov. 14 at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines following a bout with pneumonia. He was 94.

Carson ~ Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden. Graveside services will follow at 11:00 a.m., at Lawn Cemetery, rural Boxholm. Rev. Rod Meyer will officiate. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the Boone Veteran’s Council. A celebration of life gathering will follow the graveside service, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m., in the fellowship room at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boxholm. For online obituaries & condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Over his lifetime, Dick held many roles - Air Force navigator, husband, father, Bronze Star Medal recipient, war veteran, farmer, flipper, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was known for his quick wit, a wily sense of humor, fierce independence and a strong dedication to home and family.

Born July 21, 1931 in Dayton, Ia., Richard grew up in a farming family in rural Boxholm. The youngest of four children, he attended Iowa State College (now ISU). Dick earned a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education and his teaching certificate. He served in the ROTC and in 1954 joined the U.S. Air Force.

In 1955, Dick was stationed at McCLellan Air Force Base in California when he met Bonnie Jean Edwards on a blind date. He was smitten, and they married a year later.

During Dick's 20+ years of military service, he progressed to the rank of Major and served as a flight navigator and maintenance officer in the Vietnam war. He was stationed out of multiple bases in the continental U.S., Alaska, Panama and Vietnam.

Dick received a Bronze Star Medal for his service with the 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Tuy Hoa Air Base in Vietnam in recognition of his leadership in ensuring the squadron was safely maintained for more than 6,100 combat sorties.

Dick and Bonnie had six children, and during his service, the family followed Dick to bases across the U.S. and Panama.

Dick retired from the military in 1972, and in 1974 the family of eight put down their roots on a farm near Randall, Iowa, where Dick was able to pursue his love of the land. For more than 20 years they raised corn, beans and pigs. They weathered the farm crisis of the 80s, a tornado that demolished the farm's machine shed, and countless hair-raising trials that came with raising six children.

Dick and Bonnie spent many winter months visiting auction houses and estate sales, restoring antiques and flipping houses.

After retiring and selling the farmstead, Dick and Bonnie lived in Story City, Ames, Waukee and finally Grimes.

Dick taught his kids many important lessons: how to drive a "three on the tree", how to bale hay and walk beans, how to use an atlas to map out a vacation, how to win (and occasionally cheat) at hearts, and how to appreciate the meaning of good, hard work.

A Swede to his core, Dick looked forward to family gatherings where he could enjoy some of his favorite foods: pickled herring, potato bologna and ostkaka.

In his later years, and following Bonnie's death in 2022, Dick continued to find joy in the company of his large family and the companionship of his orange tabby cat, Lil' Girl.

Richard is survived by his children David Bengtson, Michael (Deb) Bengtson, Jim (Diane) Bengtson, Lori Timmons, Lisa (Kevin) Humke, Linda (Mitch) Clauson; grandchildren Daniel Bengtson, Hannah Bengtson, Cory Bengtson, Libby Bengtson, Brian Bengtson, Brenna Bengtson, Erik (Jessica) Timmons, Van Timmons, Jessica (Megan) Humke, Jenna (Rahul Seshappa) Humke, Brady (Vanessa) Clauson and Dalayna Clauson; and great-grandchildren Ryan and Jack Timmons, and Grayson Clauson. Dick was also blessed with a large extended family and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, parents Ruben Ferdinand and Agnes Elizabeth Bengtson, his brother Waldo Bengtson and sister-in-law Marie, sister Beverly Bengtson, brother Merle (Bob) Bengtson and sister-in-law Loretta.