Donald Lee Bennink

Donald Lee Bennink, 82, died on July 15 at Valley View Village Care Center in Des Moines. Donald was born February 29, 1928 near Pella, Iowa to J. Henry and Lucy (Hoksbergen) Bennink. Donald grew up on a farm near New Sharon. He graduated from New Sharon High School in 1946. After high school, Donald worked on the farm for three years. Following this, he attended Central College in Pella, IA for two years. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in the Korean War until 1953 when he was honorably discharged.

Donald married Sophia C. Van Hal on September 2, 1953. He then attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelors Degree in Education. While teaching in Manson, IA, he earned his Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling, also from Iowa State Teachers college. He taught social studies at Manson for five years.

Donald served as a Guidance Counselor at Humboldt, Boone, and Osceola, Iowa schools. He retired from teaching in 1989. He enjoyed farming as a hobby, which occupied his time from 1969 until he moved to Valley View Village in Des Moines in 2005.

He is survived by his wife, Sophia and their four married children: David (Lynn) Bennink of Runnells, IA; Susan (John) Burke of Omaha, NE; Ann (Kevin) Sorensen of Rochester, MN; and Karen (Tom) Schultz of Warrenton, VA; eight grandchildren and one brother, Ivan (Marlene) Bennink.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Henry and Lucy Bennink, one brother, Clarence and his wife, Harriet, one sister, Angeline Engelenhoven and her husband, Harley; one niece, Bonnie McClure and two nephews, Vernon Van Engelenhoven and James Bennink.

Funeral services will be on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway with burial at Warren-Powers Cemetery in Adelphi, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa or Valley View Village Retirement Center. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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