Rosella M. Beninga

Rosella (Rosie) M. Beninga, 97, of Grundy Center, Iowa, passed away August 27, 2024, at Arlington Place in Grundy Center. 

A visitation will be held from 4 pm – 7pm on September 4, 2024, at Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am September 5, 2024, at Lincoln Center Church with burial at the Lincoln Township Cemetery. Pastor Dale Janssen will officiate. 

Rosie was born on September 19, 1926, in Bancroft, South Dakota, the daughter of Harm and Catherine (Peterson) Dirksen. She graduated from Bancroft High School in 1944.  After graduating from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, she accepted the job of Parish Counselor at the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center. 

She met Milo Long at the local DX gas station. They were married on June 15, 1951. They were blessed with two children, Laura, and Bob. Milo passed away on July 20, 1956. A few years later, Rosie met Harlan Beninga who had two children, Vernon, and Sue. On February 20, 1959, they were married. They had two children, Paul, and Jim. Rosie enjoyed playing cards, playing the piano and organ and square dancing. She and Harlan enjoyed many winters together at the Fountain of Youth, a retirement village, in southern California. 

Rosie worked 2 years at the Grundy Center Lutheran Church, 1 year as a 3rd grade teacher in Grundy Center, 8 years at Farmers Savings Bank, Grundy Care Center Activities Coordinator for 8 years and 20 years at Cappers Reader Service with her husband Harlan. She was very active at Lincoln Center Church as the Ladies Bible Study Leader and retired from as the organist after 50 years. 

Survivors include six children: Vernon (Metta) Beninga of Cedar Rapids, Sue (Jay) Kruger of Poway, CA, Laura Cain of Portland, OR, Bob (Jovita) Long of Waterloo, Paul Beninga of Dike, Jim (Maggie) Beninga of Dike; grandchildren: Echo, Amy, Jason, Jon, Brian, Jamie, Molly, Dillion, Lindsey, Eric, Alex, Brice, Sarah, Cody, Clint, Ashley and Sarah; 22 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Marjorie Bergsma. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Milo, and Harlan; her sister Deora Gerke, her brothers, Eldon, and Clifford; her infant granddaughter, Anne. 

She will be remembered for the lifelong gifts she leaves for all, faith in God, love, kindness, honesty, integrity, and a fun joyful spirit. Rosie lived a good life surrounded by the love of family and numerous friends. She valued and enjoyed every person she connected with. 

The family would like to thank Arlington Place for their exceptional and compassionate care for Rosie these last six years. 

Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center is assisting the family and information is available at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com 

Memorials in her name can be made to the family.