Joseph "Joe" J. Benda, 83, of Swisher, died Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House. Celebration of life services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW. Burial will be in Anderson Cemetery near Swisher. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Brosh Chapel.
Survivors include his wife Marian; children Barb (Kyle) Wagner, Sr., James (Terry) Benda, and Debbie Benda; grandchildren Kyle Wagner, Jr., Joseph Wagner, Jennifer (Travis) Hartwig; step grandchildren Daniel (Anne) Wineland and Nicholas Wineland; great grandchildren Korbin, Addalyn, Keagan, and Kelson Wagner; siblings Milo Benda, Vitus Benda, Lenard Benda, and Ernie (Diane) Benda; and many nieces and nephews.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Adolph Benda, Ludwig Benda, Emil Benda, Lester Benda, Vera Smith, and Leota Lamparek; and his favorite pet, Tiger.
Joseph James was born September 10, 1932 in Toledo, the son of Charles John and Mary Anna (Balvin) Benda. He married Marian Shramek on April 8, 1958 in Ely. He worked for Harold Heitschusen Farms in Williamsburg, Amana Refrigeration for 8 1/2 years, and the retired from Welty Way/Iowa Precision in 1997. Joe enjoyed working in his shop. He was a skilled welder and did many kinds of repair work out of his shop. He made various yard ornaments such as windmills and plant hangers. He even made a few tractors by combining parts and pieces from other machines. Joe had a brilliant mind when it came to putting ideas on paper and bringing them to life. He collected John Deere toy tractors and built a miniature farm in his basement. After his retirement he concentrated more on his chain sharpening business. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Memorials may be directed to the family.