In Memory of Marlene Bennigsdorf

Marlene Bennigsdorf, age 79, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Richard A. Salcido will officiate; Committal Service will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery, of Ida Grove, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church 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

Marlene Bennigsdorf the daughter of Vernon “Pete” and Esther (Stamp) Thornhill was born on May 22, 1937 in Ida Grove, Iowa. She grew up in Ida Grove, was baptized in her faith at the St. Paul Lutheran Church on July 4, 1937 and confirmed on March 25, 1951. Marlene was a graduate of Ida Grove High School with the class of 1955.

Marlene met her true love Darrell H. Bennigsdorf in confirmation class and later followed him to California where he was stationed with the United States Marines. On April 21, 1956 the couple were united in marriage in Orange, California. Marlene and Darrell welcomed three children Kim, Darin, and Kayan. Marlene worked as a bookkeeper for Hartley-Bickley, Godbersen – Smith, GOMACO, and Mau Trucking before retiring.

Marlene was full of life and enjoyed every minute of it spent with her family. She loved to tend to her flowers and cook a scrumptious meal. She will be fondly remembered by her family as an excellent baker especially her mouthwatering lemon bread. Marlene treasured her family and delighted in taking trips with them to such places as Fort Knox, New York, Oregon, Florida, and Wisconsin to name a few.  Marlene was a faithful member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa and loved attending Bible study group. She also volunteered her time at the Horn Memorial Auxiliary Gift Shop.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Pete and Esther Thornhill; parents-in-law Herb and Lucille Bennigsdorf; and sisters Deb Cranston and Dorothy Brown.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 61 years Darrell Bennigsdorf of Ida Grove, Iowa; children Kimber (Mark) Wilmes of Conover, Iowa, Darin (Deanna) Bennigsdorf of Runnells, Iowa, and Kayan (Joe) Hewitt of Battle Creek, Iowa; grandchildren John (Jamie) Wilmes, Adam (Kylie) Wilmes, Molly (Kory) Henshaw, T.J. “Anthony” Akes, Zachary (Savanna) Akes, Heather (Grant) Horton, Randi Webb, Jeremy (Renee) Hewitt, and Joshua (Molly) Hewitt; sister Sandy (Vern) Olberding; brother Kenny (Ann) Thornhill, and Mike (Robin) Thornhill; brothers-in-law Jeff Cranston and Steve Brown; many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The family of Marlene request that memorials be directed to the Horn Memorial inpatient building project in Marlene’s name.