TAMA- Roger J. Benda, 70, of Tama, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at McAllen Heart Hospital in McAllen, Texas. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 11 from 2 to 6 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Roger was born on November 28, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Harry and Blanche (Dvorak) Benda.
He graduated from Chelsea High School. Roger served his country in the U.S. Army.
On February 12, 1966, he was united in marriage to Mary Jo Prochaska in Davenport, Iowa. Roger worked for Iowa Electric Gas and Power retiring after twenty-five years of service. After his retirement, he drove for Bituminous Material and Supply. Roger was a longtime member of the Tama and later Tama-Toledo Lions Club where he held many offices including president, secretary, tail twister, program director, and was a board member. Roger was most recently the chairman for the club's Iowa KidSight program which provides eye screenings to preschool age children in the area. He was also a member of the American Legion and was a former member of the Tama Fire Department. He was currently a driver for the Tama Ambulance Service and on the Tama County Conservation Board. Roger's hobbies included hunting, fishing, trapping and socializing. He was a proud Chicago Bears fan. Roger also enjoyed having coffee with the guys and bragging about his grandkids.
Preceding him death were his parents; and his wife, Mary Jo on November 4, 2006.
Survivors include two children, Debbie (Brett) Goode of West Des Moines and Darin Benda of Toledo; five grandchildren, Steffanie and Samantha Benda, Tyler, Emily and Lucas Goode; one sister, Mary Kay Timmons of Cedar Rapids; and a special friend Donna Lassar of Tama.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa KidSight, 2346 Mormon Trek Blvd. Iowa City, IA 52246