Glenda Benjamin

Glenda Lee (Smith) Benjamin was born December 16, 1934, near Dow City, Iowa to Maxwell "Pink" and Leone (Coleman) Smith. Glenda grew up in Dow City and graduated from Dow City High School in 1953. She loved spending her summers during high school with Aunt Velora on Great Spirit Lake where she worked at the lodge, caught gar with her hands and enjoyed swimming. Glenda married Gaylin Sisson in 1953 and to this union three children were born, Gay, Gina and Greta. The couple lived in various locations including Colorado. While living in Colorado, Glenda took singing lessons with Margaret Webster. Glenda married Charlie Benjamin on February 6, 1963, in Las Vegas and to this union two children were born Donnie and Mary. The couple moved to their farm west of Dunlap in 1965. Glenda was a police matron, a Safe House for babies, foster parent, stock car driver, attended beauty school, and was a waitress and bartender. In 1975, the couple purchased the Woodbine Locker and Glenda worked at the locker with Charlie.

Glenda was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Glenda started singing at funerals at the age of nine years old. She loved to cook, garden and play cards. She also loved to listen to Elvis Presley and root for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Glenda loved her grandchildren and was a big supporter of them.

Glenda died Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the Care Center in Denison, Iowa at the age of 82 years, four months, and six days.

Glenda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charlie on July 15, 2015; daughter, Greta and her husband Lynn Smith; two grandchildren, Alex and Alexis; sister Carmen Harris and her beloved dog, Sadie. She is survived by four children, Gay (Clarion) Melby and Gina (Ed) Green all of Dow City, Mary (Kevin) Boger of Denison and Don Benjamin and Sonja Worth of Dow City; 15 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; brother, Bob Smith of Florida and many other relatives and friends.