In Memory of Leila Lansink

Leila Lansink, age 91, of Battle Creek, Iowa (formerly of Ida Grove and Arthur, Iowa) passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father William McCarthy will officiate. Committal Services following in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 4:45 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Sacred Heart Catholic 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 at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Leila Lucille Lansink, the daughter of Herbert R. and Mable “Lucille” (Carlson) Bennigsdorf, was born on September 5, 1932, in rural Charter Oak, Iowa. Leila grew up in the Charter Oak – Ute area on a farm during her youth. At the age of 15, she moved to Schleswig, Iowa and graduated from Schleswig High School with the class of 1950. She then began working as a secretary at the ASCS Office in Ida County.

On November 27, 1954, Leila was united in marriage to Bernard Lansink in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The couple was blessed with four children: Debra, Douglas, Dennis, and Deana. The family made their home on a farm near Arthur, Iowa, where Leila enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom raising their children and helping Bernard on the farm. In 1994 the couple retired from a 45-year farming career and moved to Ida Grove. Leila was then employed part-time at Byron Originals and The Chalet helping with their special events and she also worked as a Precinct Election Official for Ida County on election days.

Leila was a member of the Blaine Friendly Neighbors Club and Horn Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was a faithful member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was active in the Ladies Altar Society. Leila enjoyed doing cross-stitch, dancing, playing cards and marbles with her grandchildren. She liked tending to her flowers and garden as well as baking for her family. The couple enjoyed traveling and for 15 years Leila and Bernard would winter in Alamo, Texas. Leila was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory include her children Debra (Keith) Fineran of Ida Grove, IA, Douglas (Teresa) Lansink of Ida Grove, IA, Dennis (Tamara) Lansink of Arthur, IA and Deana Lansink of Emmetsburg, IA; 10 grandchildren: Jim (Hilarie) Fineran, John (Sarah) Fineran, Abby (Chris) Schrunk, Adam (Jodi) Lansink, Andrew (Lisa) Lansink, Aaron (Laura) Lansink, Chris (Melanie) Lansink, Callie Wilhite, Courtney (Scott) Cunningham and Cara (Seth) Johnson; 32 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; brothers Vern (Edith) Bennigsdorf of Montrose, CO, Darrell Bennigsdorf (special friend Judy Schimmer) of Ida Grove, IA, Russ (Clara) Bennigsdorf of Ida Grove, IA and Lonnie (Marva) Bennigsdorf of Battle Creek, IA; sister Carol Miller of Earlham, IA; sisters-in-law Sharon Bennigsdorf of Ida Grove, IA and Arlene Miller of Alta, IA; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Lucille Bennigsdorf; husband Bernard Lansink; granddaughter Laura Fineran; great-grandchildren Emmett Fineran and Jillian Lansink; siblings Dorene (LeRoy) Wonder, Robert (Marlene) Bennigsdorf, Ruth (Earl Dean) Schmidt and Gary Bennigsdorf; sisters-in-law Marlene Bennigsdorf, Delores Segebart, and Sister Mary Benjamin Lansink; brothers-in-laws Maynard Miller and Don Miller.