In Memory of Wayne D. Bennett

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 Rev. Betsy Bennett and Rev. 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, Iowa, where he attended country school. At the age of 16, Wayne graduated from Ida Grove High School with the class of 1944. After high school Wayne went on to further his education at Iowa State University, but was called home to work on the family farm at the end of his freshman year.

On June 5, 1949, Wayne married Barbara Noll at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. They made their home on a farm south of Galva. Wayne and Barbara were blessed with two children, Gary and Candice.

Wayne continued to farm, and started farming with his brother, Bruce, in 1950. The family moved to the town of Ida Grove, Iowa when Wayne retired from farming in 1989.

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. 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 the community. In his younger years, he farmed and acted as a 4-H Club Leader, Ida County Farm Bureau President, Farm Bureau Voting Delegate, Chair of the Ida County Soil Conservation District, and chair of the Ida County 4-H Committee. He was a member of the Cattlemen’s Association, Department of Economic Development, Lions Club, Ida Grove Chamber of Commerce, Holstein Town & Country Club, and a ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee. Wayne was a faithful member of Silver Creek United Methodist Church and acted as a former Lay Leader.

On September 18, 2004, Wayne married Jean Irwin at the Silver Creek United Methodist Church. He welcomed three stepchildren, Jim, Tom, and Linda and their families.

Wayne was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He travelled overseas three times in the early 1980’s to see his two older grandchildren when they were living in New Zealand. In 1998 he traveled to China with his daughter to meet his newest granddaughter, Pearl, and help bring her home to Iowa.

Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, playing cards, visiting, and wintering in Arizona, where he competed in lawn bowling.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Blanche Bennett; 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; sister, Barbara (Robert) Ruchensky; step children, Jim (Lori) Irwin of Arthur, Iowa, Tom (Jean) Irwin of Little Elm, Texas, and Linda (John) Sichenze of Front Royal, Virginia along with their families;  extended family and friends.