Wilbur D. "Pete" Bennett 1928 - 2008

WALLIS, BENNETT, PETERSEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/25/2019 at 21:48:52

Sioux City Journal
17 December 2008

SIOUX CITY -- Wilbur D. "Pete" Bennett, 80, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at Indian Hills Nursing and Rehab Center.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Sioux City. Burial will be in Summit Township Cemetery, rural Spencer, Iowa. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 6 to 7 p.m. and a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Pete was born Jan. 9, 1928, near Garwin, Minn., the son of E. Lloyd and Vera A. (Wallis) Bennett. He moved with his parents and sister to a farm near Greenville, Iowa in 1933. He attended school in Greenville until the seventh grade. He moved to Spencer, Iowa in 1940, and graduated from Spencer High School in 1945. He enlisted into the U.S. Army in June 1946. He served with the Occupation Forces in Japan as a member of the 1st Calvary Division in and around Tokyo. He was honorably discharged in December 1947. He attended Iowa State University from 1948 until he graduated in March 1951 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture and mechanical arts, majoring in agronomy and economics.

He was married to Charlyn M. Petersen on Dec. 26, 1948, in Spencer, Iowa. After graduation from ISU, he was employed with the Paullina, Iowa School District teaching in the Veterans On-Farm Training Program for two years. The couple moved to Toledo, Iowa, and became associated with the Farm Management Company for three years. In 1956, they moved to Sioux City, continuing in the Farm Management, Farm Appraisal and Farm Real Estate business. Later, they formed the Siouxland Farm Agency Corporation. He had been president and treasurer for more than 38 years and in the business more than 50 years.

In 1952, he was made a Mason of Fulton Lodge 499 in Paullina. He later became a member of Landmark Lodge in Sioux City, the Scottish Rite, Sioux City York Rite and Abu Bekr Shrine. He was coronated 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary in 1987. He was the proud recipient of the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Award in 1984. In 1974, he served as Illustrious Master of Zadock Council 24. He was active in the Sioux City Consistory, presiding as wise master, Chapter of Rose Croix and as master of Kadosh Consistory. He holds memberships in Cycle Corps, Spencer Area Shrine Club, High Twelve, Royal Order of Jesters, where he was past director in 1980. He also was a member of First United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Charlyn of Sioux City; a sister, Janice Wachter of Grand Rapids, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Donna Herweg of Brewer, Minn.; two brothers-in-law, Jay Colburn of Plano, Texas, and Lindell (Jackie) Petersen of Spencer, Iowa; nine nieces; three nephews; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lillian Colburn; a brother, Dean Herweg; and a nephew.

In lieu of flowers, Pete's family requests memorials may be sent to the Abu Bekr Transportation Fund or the charity of your choice.