"Our sympathy to the family."
In loving memory of
Merlin H. Beenken
December 24, 1935 - October 4, 2018
A funeral services for Merlin H. Beenken, 82, of Wesley was held on Monday, October 8, 2018 at the First Lutheran Church, Algona. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery with Military Honors conducted.
Merlin Harvey Beenken, 82, of Wesley passed away peacefully at the Kossuth Regional Health Center on Thursday, October 4, 2018 surrounded by his family.
Merlin Beenken was born on December 24, 1935 on his parents' farm South of Woden. He was the oldest child of Henry and Virgie (Kardoes) Beenken. He attended the Ramsey Reformed and Woden Christian Reformed Church when growing up. He was a baptized and confirmed member of the Christian faith.
Merlin attended country school for 4 years and then went to school in Woden. He graduated from Woden High School in 1954. After graduating, he stayed home and farmed with his dad, and also helped area farmers. He served his country by joining the United States Army, and served from August 1958 to October 1959. He returned home so he could help on the family farm when his father fell ill.
On October 7, 1960, Merlin married the love of his life, Marlis Sveen, at West Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Leland. In 1962, they welcomed their first son while living and farming in Hancock County. The family expanded in 1964 with the addition of their second son. The family relocated to the Wesley area in 1971 where he continued to farm and worked nights at Winnebago. Shortly after relocating, the final addition to their family was added with the birth of their third son.
Merlin was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his family and loved spending time with them. He was very close to his brothers and sisters his entire life. He taught by example and enjoyed simple pleasures and moments of life. He would say he was blessed and wanted to share those blessings with others.
Merlin worked hard, but loved harder. He loved the outdoors, gardening, sharing his produce, carpentry work, and cheering on the Hawkeyes and Cyclones. Merlin was a very active member of the Wesley Evangelical Free Church from 1971 to 2002 prior to joining the First Lutheran Church in Algona.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 58 years, Marlis of Wesley; sons, David (Sheri) of Algona, Dan (Cindy) of Ames, and Dean (Amanda) of Wesley; grandchildren, Holly Beenken, Ryan (Dara) Beenken, Amber (Justin) McClellan and Axton Beenken; great-grandchildren, Aubrey Rae and Raelynn Joy; siblings, Sharon (Dennis) Heinen and Daryl (Nancy) Beenken; brother-in-law, Philip Luppen; sister-in-law, Luming Beenken; a step brother, two step sisters, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Virgie; step mother, Ella Eden Beenken, sister Wilma Luppen, brother Wayne Beenken, and a grandson, Louden Beenken.
Tributes
"Marlis and family - so sorry to read of Merlin's death. Just want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May the Lord provide the peace and comfort which only comes from Him. My condolences to each of you!"
"My sympathy to the Beenken family. What a kind man Merlin was. Wrap each other in love. Lara"
"My deepest sympathies to Marlys and the entire Beenken clan. I had the pleasure of getting to know him a little better after we moved to Algona and started the nursery/landscape business. He impressed me with his kindness, determination and sense of humor. I pray for strength & comfort for all family members including Marlys' family."
"Our sympathy to all the Beenken family. I am privileged to call him my neighbor and you are all a special family to me.
God bless you. "
"Our thoughts and prayers with the family. He will surely miss.. He was the rock the siblings depended upon. A brother his siblings can count on. God speed Merlin, we know that you?re with our Lord and with our loved ones to celebrate you home. I?m so thankful and bless to have known you as my brother in law. "
"Always in our hearts. Our prayers and thoughts are with you."