Ben Smidstra, 91, Luverne, died Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
A funeral service was Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
Ben Smidstra was born on Nov. 26, 1930, to Charles and Reika (Kracht) Smidstra in Edna, Iowa. He was raised on a farm outside of Rock Rapids and attended country school through the eighth grade. He then helped on the family farm.
In September 1954, at the age of 24, Ben enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in Japan, near Tokyo shortly after the Korean Conflict ended. After his tour was completed in August 1956, he returned to the family farm south of Luverne.
Shortly after returning, Ben met the love of his life, Lylas, at a roller-skating rink in Rock Rapids. Ben and Lylas were married on Dec. 3, 1958. They bought the family farm once when Ben’s parents retired.
Ben loved horses and enjoyed using his work horses to complete most of the farming operations. He enjoyed all farm animals and always had a loyal farm dog and cats.
In 1981, when his son Joel became paralyzed in a car accident, Ben and Lylas began caring for Joel.
Ben enjoyed the weekend and summer visits of his five grandchildren to the farm and many memories were made on that farm with them.
In the last 10 years, Ben cared for Lylas as her health declined. In February 2018, Lylas moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home and Ben visited her every day. In October 2019, after his own declining health, Ben also moved to the Veterans Home. Lylas passed away in October 2021.
Ben is survived by his son Charles Smidstra of Luverne; five grandchildren, Ben Smidstra of Luverne, Christina (Jose) Grijalva of Luverne, Bethany Smidstra (partner Brandon Englert) of Rock Rapids, Melissa (Fady) Smidstra of Michigan, Erin Jerke (Jordan) of Harrisburg, South Dakota; 15 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Joe Jeffer of Luverne; sister-in-law Delores Jurrens of Ellsworth; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Lylas Smidstra; a son, Joel Smidstra; his parents; parents-in-law Everett and Juel Jurrens; two brothers, Albert (Harriet) Smidstra and Bert (Albertha) Smidstra; four sisters, Jennie (Jack) Vande Weerd, Suzie (Hank) Kelderman, Jessie (Harvey) Wiersma, and Wilma Jean Jeffer; one brother-in-law, Donald Jurrens; and an infant sister-in-law.
Arrangements were provided by Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, Iowa, www.jurrensfuneralhome.com.
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