In Memory of Carol L. Bensley

Carol Leora Bensley, age 83, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Odebolt Specialty Care of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 31, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. Ken Miller will officiate.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Carol Leora Bensley, the daughter of Herman and Lauretta (Arnette) Becker, was born on September 23, 1940, in LeMars, Iowa. She grew up in LeMars and received her education at LeMars High School, graduating with the class of 1959. 

On June 28, 1959, Carol was united in marriage to John "Jack" R. Bensley, II at the Presbyterian Church in LeMars. The couple made their home in LeMars while Jack was attending college at Westmar. Carol and Jack were blessed with three children: John, Evan, and Christina "Tina". The family moved around Iowa for Jack’s employment before eventually settling in Odebolt, Iowa, in 1968. 

Carol enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom raising her children. When her children began school, she went to work as a school cook at the Odebolt-Arthur CSD. Once her children had grown and graduated, she began working as a bookkeeper at The Chronicle newspaper. After a number of years, she left the newspaper and would help out a couple days a week at her brothers’ business, Becker Brothers Decorating, in LeMars. 

In her free time, Carol enjoyed gardening, knitting/crocheting, and watching NASCAR races. The couple enjoyed “glamping” at the Iowa Great Lakes in their motorhome. They also liked to travel in their motorhome up and down the East Coast as well as the Southern portion of the United States. 

Family was the most important thing to Carol. She treasured time with her family and hosting them all for Creek Days and the holidays. She will be remembered for being an amazing cook and baker, a loving wife, grandma, and great-grandma.   

Left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 64 years, Jack Bensley of Odebolt, IA; children John (Marj) Bensley of Sac City, IA, Evan (Lori) Bensley of Lake Park, IA and Christina (John) Gordon of Meriden, IA; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; brothers Wally (Donna) Becker of LeMars, IA, Jim (Susan) Becker of LeMars, IA, Ken (Linda) Becker of LeMars, IA and Richard Becker of California; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Lauretta Becker; brother Mark Becker (in infancy); and her in-laws Melvin and Rose Bensley.