John Paul Benda, 80, passed away April 17, 2024 peacefully at home after a short battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines with a visitation from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
He was born March 27, 1944 in Washington, D.C. and his family returned to Iowa shortly after. He grew up in Belle Plaine, Iowa with his mother Katherine Minor and stepfather Fred Benda. In high school he lettered in football, baseball and basketball but his favorite extracurricular was playing the tuba which he lettered in and earned high honors at competitions. John graduated from the University of Iowa in 1967 and earned an MBA from Golden Gate University graduating with a 4.0 GPA. He served his country proudly for 4 years in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Osan Air Base in Korea and completed his service with the rank of Captain. In June 1967 he married his college sweetheart and personal nurse Sandi and they cherished 56 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling internationally and also made frequent trips to visit grandchildren. He worked in the Insurance industry and retired in 2011.
John was a voracious reader. He read 2-3 books a week and often earned top reader at the local library. He loved watching sports. He rooted on the Cubs, Royals and Twins baseball teams and Chiefs football but his favorite team was the Iowa Hawkeyes. He developed a newfound appreciation and rooted on the Iowa State Cyclones after his daughter, son-in-law and grandsons attended. John also loved jazz music with John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck being some of his favorites.
John is preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Minor; stepfather, Fred Benda; aunts, Mildred Zeadow and Margaret Brown; uncle, John Minor; and brother-in-law, Art Bachmann. Survivors include his wife, Sandi Benda; daughters, Stefanie Musel (Scott), Kathryn Carney (Shane) and Johnette Johnson (Chad); grandchildren, Jonathan and Daniel Musel, Mary, Leo and Anna Carney and Noah and Libby Johnson; sister, Mary Bachmann and her children, Artie Bachmann, Matt Bachmann and Jamie Groleau.
The Benda family would like to extend a special thank you to Debbie and the Unity Point Hospice team.
In lieu of flowers or donations please take your family out for ice cream in his honor which was Grandpa John’s favorite treat.
