Loren Beneke

Loren H. Beneke, 78, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Waukon, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Monday, September 7, 2026, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 12 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial with military honors was held in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon assisted the family.

Loren Henry Beneke was born August 17, 1948, in Waukon, the son of Henry and Tillie (Schallock) Beneke. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1966. Following graduation, he attended Iowa State University in Ames, he worked for the railroad and road crews, and enlisted in the United States Army, where he served for two years before returning home to help on the family farm.

Loren found his career with Farm Bureau Insurance, where he worked as an agent and agency manager for 40 years. He took great pride in helping people and building relationships, and his work reflected the care and dedication he brought to everything he did.

In 1973, Loren met the love of his life, Lois Marie Bjerke. They were married at Zion United Church of Christ and built a beautiful life together. They raised two children, Amy and Jacob, and supported them through all of their activities, school years, and the creation of their own families. Loren was a proud husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, and his family was always at the center of his world.

Loren was led by a deep need to serve others. He was a Boy Scout leader, church youth group leader, and helped develop a contemporary service at church. He participated in the community mentoring program and served as mayor of Waukon for many years. Whether through his work, his church, or his community, Loren believed in showing up for people and making a difference.

He also found great joy in the simple things that made life special. Loren loved spending time at his koi fish pond, keeping up his fish aquarium, and fishing with his brothers and grandchildren at the cabin. He especially loved making special Saturday breakfasts for his family - small traditions that became cherished memories.

In the last few years of his life, Loren discovered a new love for singing. He enjoyed learning songs, singing them, and sharing that joy with others. Music became another way he connected with people, and his family will remember the happiness he found in making a song part of an ordinary day.

Loren’s greatest legacy is the love he gave so freely. He will be remembered for his kindness, his willingness to help, his sense of service, and the many ways he made people feel cared for. His family will forever treasure the memories he created and the love he shared.

Loren is survived by his daughter, Amy (Adrian) Evans; his son, Jacob (Shashawna) Beneke; his grandchildren, Zayna and Zoey Evans, and Omarion, Tyson, Jazi, Amora, and Eva Beneke; his brothers, Arne (Janet) Beneke and Arlyn (Marge) Beneke; his sister, Karen (Jeff) Lampert; and his in-laws, Karen (Randy) Loeb and Robert (Cheryl) Bjerke.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lois Beneke, in 2021; his parents, Henry and Tillie Beneke; and his brother-in-law, Lynn Bjerke.

Loren will be deeply missed and forever loved. His family finds comfort in knowing that his love, his service, and the memories he created will continue to live on in the lives of those who knew him.

Honorary casketbearers were his grandchildren. Casketbearers were his nieces and nephews, who he loved dearly. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.