Benjamin Deest

Benjamin B. Van Deest, 95, of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Tuesday, August 12, 2008, under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice at Grundy County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Grundy Center, Iowa. Benjamin was born October 12, 1912 on a farm in Colfax Township, Grundy County the son of Behrend and Harmka(Saathoff) Van Deest. He received his education at Herbert Quick Colfax #9 country school in rural Grundy County. On November 6, 1937 he was united in marriage to Jennie Beenken at the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church Parsonage in rural Holland, Iowa. Benjamin and Jennie farmed in Grundy County throughout their marriage. He enjoyed raising charolais cattle. They moved to his present home in1978 and retired in 2001. Jennie passed away October 27, 2004. Benjamin was a member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church for over 63 years where he served as trustee. He liked to spend time with and going to the activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing cards, horse shoes and going to chuck wagon races. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Jennie; one son: Harlan Van Deest; one son-in-law: Arnold Schipper; one infant granddaughter: Renae Van Deest: three sisters- Gepka Graves, Jennie Meester and Jenna Van Deest; five brothers- Albert, Adolph, John, William, and Raymond. Survivors include one daughter; Marian Schipper of Aplington, Iowa, daughter-in-law; Janice Van Deest of Grundy Center, Iowa;4 grandchildren: Sandy (Jim) Sharp of Aplington, Ronda (Daryl) Jans of Grundy Center, Wayne (Dawn) Van Deest of Sioux Falls,SD, Brian (Missi) Van Deest of Dike and 8 great grandchildren: Pvt. Kyle Sharp, Pvt. Michael Sharp both of California, Nicole Sharp of Aplington, Nick Jans of Grundy Center, Amy (Matt) Edwards of Wellsburg; Allan Van Deest of Sioux Falls, SD, Kristen McCrea and Tiffany McCrea of Dike; one sister- Greta Flater; one brother Herbert(Margaret) Van Deest and a sister-in-law Gladys Van Deest all of Grundy Center.