Stephen Bennett

On March 28, Steve Bennett caught the last westbound train leaving Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, IA. 

Steve was born June 10, 1946, in Algiers, LA to Earl and Queenie Bennett while his dad was stationed there in the US Navy. They soon relocated to Boone, IA after Earl’s discharge from the Navy. Later the family moved to Fort Des Moines military housing and eventually settled in the Des Moines neighborhood of Beaverdale. Steve finished school at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1964 and went on to graduate with a forestry degree from Iowa State University. While at Iowa State he spent two summers with the US Forestry Service, fighting forest fires in the Colville National Forest in Washington State. After graduating from Iowa State, Steve went to work for the Des Moines Public Works Department, gaining much love and respect from Des Moines residents as he marked Elm trees for their destruction.

After his time with the city, Steve went to work for the US Postal Service in maintenance and continued his education at Des Moines Area Community College, earning an Associate’s Degree in electronics. During a 42-year career with the postal service, Steve was a key player in a team responsible for the implementation, troubleshooting, performance and maintenance of equipment integral to moving the nations mail through locations in Chicago, JFK Airport, La Guardia Airport, Orlando, Florida and Oakland, CA and points in between. He also trained US Postal Service employees and continued his own education at the USPS National Training Center in Norman, OK, sometimes while based in Des Moines. Judy would travel with Steve whenever possible, once in a while the boys were able to go also. Steve served his church, Madrid E. Free, as financial treasurer, usher, awana youth and congregational singing.

Steve married Judy Gillis on September 6, 1969, in Ames, IA. Settling in Des Moines, they had three boys, Mark, Clark, and Matthew before moving to their forever home on the family farm in Madrid, IA where Steve farmed with his parents and brother and later sons Mark and Matt.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Earl John and Queenie Belle. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judy, sons Mark (Melissa) of Kelley, IA, Clark of California, and Matthew (Jana) of Madrid, IA and brother Brian of Des Moines.  Grandchildren Tiffanie Grimm of Grimes, IA, Evan Silva of Iowa City, IA, Adriana Morgan (Morgan) of Ames, IA, Elizabeth Silva of Madrid, IA, Ashanti Bennett of Winona, MN and Blake Bennett of Madrid, IA and brother in-law Charles Gillis of Tennessee. 

Steve is now in his forever home with Jesus, no more suffering.

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