Phyllis J. Benz, 100, Melvin

A memorial service for Phyllis J. Benz was held Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin. Pastor Judy Johnson officiated.

Pallbearers were John Benz, Nicole McClavy, Natalie Jones, Kyle Michelson, Chris Michelson, Jesse Benz, Jaron Benz, Jordan Benz, Todd Hoffman, Jill Kult, Grant Kimler, Chase Kimler and Pierce Kimler. Burial was in Baker Township Cemetery at Melvin. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Phyllis June Benz, youngest daughter of Frank and Rika (Roelofsen) Knapp, was born June 17, 1924 in Melvin, a place she would call “home” for over a century. This past summer she celebrated her 100th birthday with all her family and friends nearby.

Her parents had been the owners and operators of the Frank Knapp Guernsey dairy on the south edge of Melvin, so as a young girl Phyllis helped deliver glass bottles of milk to residents in town. Among the many antiques she had collected over the years, the bottles from the Knapp Dairy remained the most precious. Between deliveries Phyllis received her education in Melvin, graduating from Melvin High School with the Class of 1941.

Following graduation she worked at the Melvin Mercantile for one year and then attended Mankato Commercial College in Mankato, Minn., completing a one-year business course. After returning home she was employed by the Melvin Savings Bank from 1944-1949.

Phyllis became the bride of Robert J. “Bob” Benz at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin, on Sunday, Oct. 12, 1947. Five children completed their family: Jeffrey, Julia, Charles, Rita and Terri. Along with keeping her household in order, Phyllis stayed involved in her kids’ activities, taking in their music and sporting events and stepping up to help where she was needed. When grandkids began to arrive, she relished every opportunity to do the same for them and made sure there was something good to eat if they stopped by. Her family were the jewels in her crown and she loved each of them dearly.

Phyllis was a lifelong member of the American Lutheran Church in Melvin where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She participated in all church-related events, sang in the choir, sat on the church council, helped sew quilts for missions and belonged to the ALCW Circle, serving in different capacities throughout the years.

Bob and Phyllis had farmed near Melvin their entire married life and were proud to be stewards of their land when it was declared a Century Farm in 1986. They retired in August of 2000 and moved to the town of Melvin, taking life a bit slower, seeing great-grandkids added to the family and enjoying the company of good friends.

Having spent her whole life in the country, Phyllis was used to growing a garden, tending to her flowers and having the space to do it. Living in town wasn’t going to change that. If there was a piece of dirt around the house that got sunshine (and wasn’t in the path of the lawnmower), a flower would be planted. Eventually, everywhere you looked was full of color and lush, beautiful plant life. If it could live in Iowa dirt, Phyllis had probably grown it at one time or another. She was especially pleased to be selected for first prize at Melvin’s Centennial as “The Flower Lady,” riding her bike decked out with petals and bouquets.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, Phyllis was reunited with loved ones who had gone before: her husband, Bob (2020); her parents, Frank and Rika; sisters: Rose (Bill) Steinmetz, Opal (Jack) Knock and Viola Martinek; brother, Melvin Knapp; and many half-sisters and brothers.

Keeping her memory close at heart are her children: Jeff (Mary) Benz, of Des Moines, Julia (Rex) Michelson and Chuck (Diane) Benz, of Melvin, Rita (Greg) Hoffman, of Spencer, and Terri (Greg) Kimler, of Jacksonville, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; beloved nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of dear friends.