Rient Carl Beenken, age 86, of Grundy Center, Iowa, passed away Monday, July 25, 2011 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital, while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center with Rev. Beth Olson officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center with military honors conducted by the Grundy Center American Legion Post #349 and AMVETS 17. Visitation will be held Friday, July 29, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice.
Rient was born January 4, 1925 in Stout, Iowa. He was the son of Ludwig and Verna (Vink) Beenken. Rient attended country school for many years and went to work at an early age to help support his family. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Henningsen on November 8, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Beaman, Iowa.
Rient worked for the Fullerton Lumber Company and the Sietsema Lumber Yard and upon its closing he went to work for the City of Grundy Center as a Sanitation Driver. He retired from the City of Grundy Center after many years of service.
Rient was a lifelong member of the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center. He enjoyed watching NASCAR racing and woodworking. He was a member of the Grundy Center American Legion Post #349 and the Grundy Center Lions Club.
Rient is survived by his children Bruce (Linda) Beenken of Kent, WA and Dianne (Bruce) Bascom of Hudson, IA; grandchildren Carrie (Mark) Barak and Jamie (Ryan) Little both of Kent, WA, Danielle Bascom (her Fiancé Derrick Langeneckert) of St. Louis, MO, Cody Bascom of Hudson, IA and great grandchildren Peyton and Madison Barak and sister Louise Eckoff. He is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; parents; 4 sisters, 1 brother, 3 step-sisters and 3 step-brothers.