Thomas B. Benson, 90, of Tripoli, died Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at his home, due to complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, surrounded by loving family.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 7, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Frederika with Rev. Evan Meester officiating. The service will be recorded and a link to view the service will be available Tuesday, April 8, at the bottom of the obituary page for Tom. Inurnment with military rites will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery (Pinhook), rural Sumner. Memorial visitation will be from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Sunday, April 6th at St. John Lutheran Church in Frederika and for one hour preceding services at the Church on Monday. Memorials may be made in Tom’s name to Cedar Valley Hospice (PO Box 2880, Waterloo, Iowa 50701), PKD Foundation (1001 E 101st, Terrace Suite 220, Kansas City, Missouri 64131), American Cancer Society (PO Box 715, Des Moines, Iowa 50303), or the V.F.W. of Tripoli (803 S. Main St., Tripoli, IA 50676).
Thomas Burnell was born on September 24, 1934, the son of Thomas and Ruby (Robbins) Benson at the family’s home, rural Wadena. He attended Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1952. While in high school, Tom excelled on the football field and basketball court, known for his incredible speed. At the age of 14, he took a train to Canada to assist his Uncle Art on his farm in Canada for the summer. Following his graduation from high school, Tom attended AIB in Des Moines and held a variety of jobs including managing the Heidelburg Restaurant in Luana. He also served in the United States Army from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1956. Tom returned to Northeast Iowa following his service. On May 11, 1957, he was united in marriage with Patricia Spinner at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Postville. To this union 9 children were born, Mona, Jo, Adele, Kyle, Ruth, Robert, Ray, Allyson, and Mary Jane. As noted, Tom started working at an early age on his Uncle Art Kelly and Uncle Bob Robbins farms and later at John Deere & Co. in Waterloo. In 1973, the family moved to the Tripoli area. Tom retired from John Deere in 1986 as a supervisor. In retirement, he traveled throughout the United States delivering recreational vehicles for Winnebago. In 1990, Tom and his wife, Patricia started wintering in Weslaco, Texas, becoming like a second home to them. They made many close friends and integrated themselves in the community. On May 4, 1995, Patricia died following a lengthy illness. Tom and Mary Lou Schmidt were united in marriage at St. John Lutheran Church in Frederika on October 25, 1996. Two families joined, making one large happy family. Tom and Mary Lou continued the tradition of wintering in Weslaco, Texas and were very involved in Amigos De Los Ninos, in Progreso Mexico, an organization that aided in providing charity to children. Through the organization, on Christmas Day, he helped feed over 2,000 children in need. This organization’s cause was a true reflection of Tom’s character. Tom was a long-time member of Brandenburg-Krueger Post #4013, V.F.W. of Tripoli, Tripoli Sportsmen Club, and Maple Hills Country Club where he served on the board. He enjoyed fishing, golf, was an excellent cook (had a BBQ chicken stand they set up around Iowa), pinochle with his card group every day, was a sports enthusiast whether playing or attending his children or grandchildren’s games, and was very dedicated to remaining in excellent physical condition. Tom’s incredible smile, humor, and selfless dedication to his family and friends will be greatly missed but always cherished.
Tom or to his friends and family “Bendy” is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Tripoli; his sister, Beverly (Arwin Vanwyk) Yancey of Sheldon, children, Mona (Kevin) Milius of Lansing, Jo Lenox of Cedar Falls, Adele Delorenzo of La Quinta, California, Kyle (Tracy) Benson of Aurora, Colorado, Ruth (Dave) Kirchhoff of Tripoli, Robert Benson of Tripoli, Ray (Jamee) Benson of Tripoli, Allyson (Gary) Langshaw of Clifton Park, New York, Todd (Lisa) Schmidt of Parnell, and Kurt (Glenda) Schmidt of Ionia,; son-in-law, Dan Nuss of Sumner; thirty-four grandchildren, Adrianne, Ben, Ethan, Justin, Alex, Tyler, Levi, Ruby, Patty, Adam, Krystal, Bailey, McKinna, Patric, Peyton, John, Robert, Abigail, Nolan L., Helen, Hannah, Chandler, Kirstin, Shania, Samantha, Kody, Miranda, Nicole, Jordan, Nolan N., Damon, Naomi, Chantelle, and Tatum; forty-great-grandchildren, Marin, Harper, Evanne, Otto, Caitlin, Jackson, Madelynn, Ellie, Cilla, Genevieve, Mila, Kinley, Gemma, Oliver, Nova, Benson, Roy, Jaya, Elyse, Amara, Rhylin, Charli, Millie, Carter, Ava, Lennon, Colter, Skylar, Paxton, Ambrose, Aurora, Kylee, Carly, Clay, Camryn, Karsyn, Emerie, Baelor, Raelyn, and Brooks; brother-in-law, Dean Haase; sister-in-law, Clara Cook; foreign exchange students, Gesi and Dorte; honorary family members, Sue Lienau, Carma Kvidera and Robbi Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents & first wife, Patricia, he was preceded in death by his daughters, Mary Jane in infancy and Stacy Nuss; son-in-law, Dean Delorenzo; brother, Robert Benson; sister, Verla McIntyre; stepfather, Mel Baechler; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Newell McIntyre, Robert Yancey, Joe Cook, Gay Haase, Sister Magdelle Spinner, Kay & Dennis O’Malley, Mary Lou & Gordon Halverson, Jan & Ralph Gunderson, Rusty & Alice Spinner, Donald & Myrt Spinner, Michael & Katie Spinner and Robert Spinner.
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