Richard H. Beenken

Richard Helmer Beenken was born August 21, 1924, on the family farm near Titonka, son of Dick and Etta (Harringa) Beenken. He graduated from Titonka High School in 1942. Richard served in the United States Army during WWII doing his basic training at Camp Livingston, LA. He shipped out to Yokohoma, Japan and was on the first ship to enter Tokyo Bay after WWII ended. Richard was united in marriage to Thelma A. Penning on December 1, 1950 and they celebrated 50 years of marriage together. He farmed near Titonka and while farming was a "Jack of All Trades", also shelling corn, plumbing, doing electrical work, welding, and photography. He was also a 4-H leader for many years. He took much pride in building his own camper and pontoon boat and spent many summers with his family enjoying them. Richard and Thelma retired from farming and moved into Algona in 1995. Thelma preceded him in death on August 15, 2001. Richard later married Shirle Sorenson on August 24, 2002. They made their home near Algona. Richard was an active member of the Ramsey Reformed Church and served in many capacities. After moving to Algona, he enjoyed attending services at the First Presbyterian C...[more]

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ch. Richard had a great sense of humor. He loved traveling and spending winters in Arizona. He was grateful for all his children and grandchildren and loved playing games with them. Richard H. Beenken died Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at Heritage Nursing Home in Bancroft at the age of 88. He received loving care there since July, 2010. He is survived by his wife Shirle Beenken of Algona; 5 children and eight grandchildren, Beverly (Mark) Klein and their children Kelly and David of Algona, Donovan (Karla) Beenken and their son Trevor of Titonka, Randy (Becky) Beenken of Titonka, Rodney (Shari) Beenken and their children, Madison, Katelyn and Jack of Titonka, and Roxann (Darin) Roggenburg and their children Rachel and Ethan of Clive. He is also survived by Shirle's children and their families, Marcia (Jim) Cook of Solon, and Mark (Briana) Sorensen of Houston, TX, two sisters-in-law, Amelia Graves of Britt, and Magdaline Penning of Algona; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Thelma; one brother, Erwin Beenken; and a sister, Evelyn Devries.