MARSHALLTOWN-Benjamin James Benda, age 39, of Marshalltown formerly of Tama, died Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelsea. Visitation will be held on Monday February 13 from 3:30 – 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Benjamin was born on October 24, 1972 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Marvin and Barbara (Kucera) Benda. He graduated from North Tama High School. Benjamin was formerly married to Ann Rutledge and they later divorced. He had formerly worked as a waiter at the Meskwaki Casino for several years and operated his own taxi service for a time. Benjamin attended church at the Faith Assembly of God and Evangelical Free Churches in Marshalltown. He loved all sports especially the Chicago Cubs and Denver Broncos. Benjamin enjoyed playing guitar, singing, traveling, and playing the card game "Spades". He especially liked spending time with his family.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Henry Kucera and Louis and Viola Benda.
Survivors include three children Kayleigh, Elighjah, and Izayah Benda of Toledo; mother, Barbara Sauer of Marshalltown; father, Marvin (Joann) Benda of Dysart; three brothers, Billy (Aurelia) Benda of Malcom, Donnie (Glynis) Benda of Marshalltown, and Mark (Serena) Benda of Marshalltown; grandmother, Lilyanna Kucera of Tama; two nephews, Gabriel and Ian Benda; two nieces, Kensy and Lilyana Benda; and several cousins.
Memorial contributions in Benjamin's name may be directed to Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, P.O. Box 268, Tama, IA 52339.