1927
Lutjen
2017
Lutjen Beenken
December 13, 1927 — May 2, 2017
Lutjen Gerhard "Luke" Beenken, Jr., 89, of Morrison, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ, in Reinbeck. Burial will follow at Washington Township Cemetery in Morrison with military honors conducted by the Reinbeck American Legion Post # 242. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Luke was born on December 13, 1927 in Grundy County, Iowa to his parents Lutjen Gerhard Beenken, Sr. and Mary JoAnn (Uhlenhopp) Beenken. He was raised and educated in Morrison, Iowa. Luke served in the United States Army during the Korean War, from 1950 until his honorable discharge in 1952. He was united in marriage to Anna Marie "Red" McKinney on October 11, 1952. They welcomed 6 children into their family. Luke worked 30 years at John Deere, Component Works in Waterloo, Iowa, retiring in December of 1984.
Luke was a long-time member of the Reinbeck American Legion Post # 242. He enjoyed gardening vegetables and had two Red Delicious apple trees. He loved fishing, camping, his cars and riding his yellow Harley-Davidson motorcycle. His true joy in life came from spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Luke is survived by his children Keith (Laurie) Beenken, Bonnie (Jerry) Shinn, Edward Beenken, Luther Beenken, Lynn (Gary) Neil and Scott Beenken; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way; brothers Bob (Dorothy) Beenken, Dick (Evelyn) Beenken; sisters Cathy (Dennis) Barnes, Mary (Maurill) Ralston & Jo Coffman; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Red and his brothers Henry, George and Herman Beenken.
Luke was born on December 13, 1927 in Grundy County, Iowa to his parents Lutjen Gerhard Beenken, Sr. and Mary JoAnn (Uhlenhopp) Beenken. He was raised and educated in Morrison, Iowa. Luke served in the United States Army during the Korean War, from 1950 until his honorable discharge in 1952. He was united in marriage to Anna Marie "Red" McKinney on October 11, 1952. They welcomed 6 children into their family. Luke worked 30 years at John Deere, Component Works in Waterloo, Iowa, retiring in December of 1984.
Luke was a long-time member of the Reinbeck American Legion Post # 242. He enjoyed gardening vegetables and had two Red Delicious apple trees. He loved fishing, camping, his cars and riding his yellow Harley-Davidson motorcycle. His true joy in life came from spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Luke is survived by his children Keith (Laurie) Beenken, Bonnie (Jerry) Shinn, Edward Beenken, Luther Beenken, Lynn (Gary) Neil and Scott Beenken; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way; brothers Bob (Dorothy) Beenken, Dick (Evelyn) Beenken; sisters Cathy (Dennis) Barnes, Mary (Maurill) Ralston & Jo Coffman; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Red and his brothers Henry, George and Herman Beenken.
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