Marilyn Benda
March 27, 1927 ~ April 1, 2012
Marilyn Benda, 85, of 2134 Country Club Parkway SE, Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, April 1, 2012, at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, concelebrated by Rev. Gerald Condon and Rev. David O'Connor. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Guiher, and her children, Charlie Miller, Brandon Guiher, and Brianna Guiher, all of the San Diego, California area; her son, Larry (Joan) Benda, and their children, Jennifer (Derek) Gillaspie, and Timothy (Sonya) Benda, all of Cedar Rapids, and Andrew (fianc��, Ashley Eng) Benda of Vallejo, California; and eight great grandchildren. Marilyn was born March 27, 1927, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Larry and Alma (Janish) Condon. She was a graduate of McKinley High School and the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism. She married Martin Benda in 1951. Marilyn taught in the Cedar Rapids Community School District for 32 years, including the old Van Buren, Fillmore, and the new Van Buren. She was a member of the local, state, and national education associations, the International Reading Association, the Cedar Rapids Women's Club, and All Saints Catholic Church. She loved playing bridge and having lunches with her dear friends. Marilyn will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; and husband, Martin in 1997. Memorials are suggested to All Saints Catholic Church, Hospice of Mercy, or the charity of the donor's choice. A sincere thank you to Hospice of Mercy, Dr. Nicole Collett, and the Mercy Medical Center nursing staff for the compassionate care they all provided to Marilyn during several stays.
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The memories of our friendship over the past 34 years will comfort me/us in the days to come — I hope YOUR fond memories comfort you in the same way. Our sincere sympathy to you and Marilyn’s entire family. We will miss her.
My mother, Betty Speedling, was in a bridge club with Marilyn for 50 years. I remember Marilyn coming to our house for bridge, and in later years when my mom had and no longer drove, Marilyn would be sure to include her. Marilyn was a lovely person, and I know she will be missed.
Am wintering in AZ and read the obits in the Gazette via email. My sympathy goes to you and your family on the death of your Mom. My prayers are with you. Sorry I won’t be able to make the funeral because we won’t be back to IA until the end of April. God’s Peace and Love be with all of you.
Dear Benda Family,
I was sad to hear about Marilyn’s passing. Please know you are in my thoughts. Take care,
Stephanie Croy
I was a member of the Fillmoore family, in the seventies. Marilyn Benda, was an outstanding teacher. I’ve met some of her students, who are teachers today!
Her legacy will continue to grow in the teaching, and learning for years to come.
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I bet Marilyn has kept Red busy filling him in on all the great grand kids. Take care and know you are in my thoughts.
Marilyn was a great next-door neighbor. We learned much from her about Cedar Rapids as new comers in 1967. Marilyn and Martin, “Red”, became a part of our family and we, theirs. Our out of town friends and relatives became acquainted with the Bendas and developed friendships.
Our sincere sympathy to Nancy, Larry and Joan and their families.
Although we have been gone some 30+ years, the memories are still as fresh as if we never moved.
Bill, Mary, Mike & Tim Baker, “645 Grantwood Drive, S.E.”
I had Mrs. Benda for my 2nd grade teacher at old (Built in 1884)Van Buren in 1957-58.
She was the BEST teacher I ever had! She was a TEACHER and would not accept anything less than your best. I am sure that all of her students felt the same way. THANK YOU Mrs. Benda for teaching me so well! Just because you have passed into the “Other Dimension” does not mean that you can’t keep teaching!
My heartfelt condolences to your immediate family and friends.