Max Eugene Benda

Funeral services for Rev. M. Eugene Benda, 75, of Tipton, who died on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, will be held on Saturday, September 25, 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tipton with The Most Reverend Martin Amos officiating. Homilist will be Rev. David Hitch. A visitation will take place at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, on Friday, September 24, 2010, from 4-7 PM with a Parish Vigil Service at 7:00. Burial will be at St. Bridget's Cemetery, Nolan Settlement. Rev. M. Eugene Benda, son of Max Bernard and Lois Irene McClintic Benda, was born December 26, 1934 in East Pleasant Plain, Iowa. He grew up in rural Jefferson County, on a farm near Fairfield. Father Benda was one of 8 in his class at the Pleasant Plain School. After graduating high school in 1952, Pastor Benda attended St. Ambrose, graduating in 1956. He then entered Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque, where he graduated in 1960. Rev. Benda was ordained on June 4, 1960, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport by The Most Rev. Ralph L. Hayes. In 1973, Father Benda earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Iowa. Father Benda's first assignment was at St. Mary's Church in Iowa City, where he served from 1960-1967. Following St. Mary's he taught theology as well as Latin at Assumption High School in Davenport. In 1971 Father Benda was assigned to Regina High School in Iowa City where he continued to teach and was appointed president of the school in 1979. While at Regina, Father Benda served at St. Bridget's Church, Nolan Settlement and St. Bernadette's Church, West Branch. Wanting to get back into parish work, Father Benda was assigned to St. Patrick's Church in Iowa City where he served from 1981-1989. In 1989, Father Benda was assigned to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tipton where he remained for 15 years. In 2004, Father Benda began serving at St. Mary's Church in Mechanicsville, retiring in 2007. Father Benda enjoyed the outdoors, often making hunting trips, accompanied by his Brittany spaniels Kate, Brigid and Molly, to Minnesota and Canada. He was a member of St. Mary's Knights of Columbus. Father Benda is survived by his brother, James J. (Bev) Benda of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Joyce A. Guy. Memorials may be made to Priest Aid Society.