Rev. Joel L. Bensema

Reverend Joel Bensema, 82, of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Sioux Center Health. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-8PM, with the family present from 2-4PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center, IA. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 28, at 11:00AM at the Carmel Reformed Church of rural Rock Valley, IA with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 10-11AM at Fairview Reformed Church of Fairview, IL. A prayer service will be held at 11AM at Fairview Reformed Church followed by a graveside committal service in Fairview Cemetery of Fairview, IL. In lieu of flowers or gift items the Bensema family prefers memorials to Kingdom Air Corps, 39911 N. Glenn Hwy, Sutton, Alaska, 99674. Joel Louis Bensema was born March 28, 1932, in Norwalk, California to Harm and Mary Belle (Tharp) Bensema. He was raised in the Bellflower, California and Norwalk, area and lived briefly in Blythe, California during the World War II years. He graduated from Excelsior Union High School, in Norwalk, in 1950. In 1956, Joel graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California with a degree in Ancient History. He continued his education by earning degrees from California Baptist Seminary in West Covina, California and Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Joel was a life-long learner, avid reader and had a passion for teaching. On November 20, 1956, Joel was united in marriage to Sylvia Leih in Santa Barbara. To this union, a son, Brandt, was born. Sylvia preceded Joel in death on December 29, 1959. After a whirlwind courtship of six weeks, on February 12, 1961, Joel was united in marriage to Arlene Franken in Bellflower. To this union, two daughters, Brenda and Brolene and one son, Bryce, were born. Joel and Arlene celebrated over 53 years of marriage. In May of 1952, Joel accepted the Lord's call, started college and began preparing to enter into the ministry. Starting in 1955, Joel served an American Sunday School church in Sisquoc, California; a Baptist church in Sunnymead, California; and Reformed Churches in Sioux City, Iowa; Hopkins, Michigan; Hammond, Indiana; Fairview, Illinois; Freeport, Illinois and Erie, Illinois. After "retiring" in 1994, Joel served actively as a "pulpit supply" minister for Reformed and Christian Reformed churches in Northwest Iowa and Southwest Minnesota. Throughout their married lives, Joel and Arlene served together in ministry, supporting and leading the congregations. All of Joel's life, he enjoyed traveling. Trips to the Holy Land and Europe, along with numerous trips to Alaska were highlights. Family vacations were usually camping trips, where the family would pursue historical locations throughout the United States and often make the trek between the Midwest and California. Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Arlene of Sioux Center; son, Brandt (Brenda) of Fairfax, IA; daughter, Brenda (Bill) Vohland of Canton, IL; son, Bryce of New York, NY and daughter, Brolene (Chuck) Gerwig of Sutton, AK; eight grandchildren: Amy Bensema of Phuket, Thailand; Sara (Jerimiah) Kindrick of Katy, TX; Caty (Colin) Campbell of Farmington, IL; Ross Vohland of Canton, IL; Ben, Joe, Tiffany and Zac Gerwig of Sutton, AK; four great-grandchildren: Cohen, Carlie, Sawyer and Finn. Brothers-in-law and sisters-In-law: Evelyn Bensema, Jeanette Bensema, John (Lorene) Franken, Louise Hulstein, LaVonne Honstein, Cordell (Margaret) Leih, Virgil (Pat) Leih and Laurin (Jean) Leih. Also, he was survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and close friends. Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Harm and Belle Bensema; his first wife, Sylvia; Sylvia's parents, Cornelius and Rena Leih; Arlene's parents, Art and Mina Franken; daughter-in-law, Sheryl Bensema, two brothers: Cal and Jim; brothers-in-law and sisters-In-law, Alice (Henry) Van Roekel, Everett (Gert) Franken, Gerrit Robert Hulstein, Darlene Franken and two nephews: Harmon Bensema and Arlin Franken. Joel exemplified JOY - Jesus, Others and You. His love of the Lord and ministry, his love of family, his compassionate counsel and his subtle mentoring will be Joel's legacy.