Bennie J. Vonk

Ireton, IA: Bennie James Vonk, 80, of Ireton, Iowa, died Monday, October 14, 2024, at Hillcrest Health Care Services in Hawarden, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church of rural Sioux Center, Iowa on Monday, October 21, at 11:00 AM with Rev. William Nelson-Loefke officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center. Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service from 9:30-11:00 AM at the church.

Bennie James Vonk was born on December 28, 1943 near Sioux Center, Iowa, to George and Henrietta Vonk. Bennie was married to Kathleen Wilken on October 8, 1983 at Peace Lutheran Church. The couple made their home by Ireton, Iowa. There they raised their family of 2 girls, Marie Van Wyhe and Katie Vonk. Bennie also had a deep love for his first children: David, Tammie, and Terri. 

Bennie loved to farm with his dad and brothers, raising hogs and he loved to bring in the crops from the fields. Bennie enjoyed riding his motorcycle, having fun with his friends (sometimes too much!) and he loved his family. But his passion was driving his truck down the road to see the next destination he could go to. Two quotes that summed up Bennie’s love for driving truck: “Truckers don’t have an easy job, but they have a job that makes a difference.” “Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin’. We’re gonna do what they say can’t be done.” Bennie was known to always be on time and he always got the job done every time, safe and sound. He will be missed by all. 

Bennie is survived by his wife, Kathleen Vonk; children, Marie (Tim) Juzek of Ireton, Iowa, Katie (fiancé Will Frantz) Magnison of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, David (Cathy) Vonk of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, Tammie (Dave) Fedderson of Rochester, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren; and Bennie’s brothers and sisters, Jan Faber, Sharon (Jim) Boeyink, Larry Vonk, Bruce (Sue) Vonk all of Sioux Center, Bonnie (Roger) Fedders of Ireton, and Glenn Vonk of Sioux Falls. He was blessed. 

Bennie was preceded in death by his parents, George and Henrietta Vonk; daughter, Terri Juzek; and brother-in-law, Ken Faber.