Benjamin Russell Rosencrants' Obituary
Benjamin Russell Rosencrants, 91, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Centerville, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at the National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs.
Ben was born on January 9, 1929, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Henry Hiram Rosencrants and Blanche Ella (Luckett) Rosencrants. He married Mary Frances OBrien on March 3, 1950, in Bloomfield, Iowa. Together, they had four children: Victoria, Kevin, Kurt and Jeff.
Following graduation from Centerville High School, Ben continued his education at Drake University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics, and at Iowa State University where he completed post-graduate work in electrical engineering. Ben also graduated from the Public Utilities Executive Program at the University of Michigan.
Ben worked for Iowa Southern Utilities in Centerville for 43 years, before it became IES Industries. He worked at IES for four more years before retiring and continuing to consult at Alliant Energy.
Ben was a member of the early Jaycees and of St. Marys Catholic Church in Centerville. He was active in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Appanoose Economic Development Corporation, and the Planning and Zoning Committee for the City of Centerville.
Ben cherished the time he spent with his family and friends. In his free time, Ben loved to hunt pheasant and quail, visit the horses at his farm or the racetrack, or read a good book next to his pet schnauzer.
Ben is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Mary Rosencrants; his children, Victoria Rosencrants of Centerville; Kevin Rosencrants of Lawrence, KS; Kurt Rosencrants, of Hot Springs; and Jeff (Tanya) Rosencrants of St. Louis; his grandchildren, Kristin (Tim) Morrell, Katherine Rosencrants, Kelsey (Kyle) Shook, Madison (Nick Michaud) Rosencrants, Hillary Rosencrants and Peyton Rosencrants; a sister, Rebecca (Dwight) Robb; great-grandchildren, Dagen, Delanie and Daxton Morrell, and Kalynn Shook; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bens sister, Rose Stayton, and brother, Robert "Bob" Rosencrants, died earlier.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM, Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Centerville with Father Timothy Armbruster officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville. An open visitation will be held at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville from 12-8 PM, with the family present from 6:00-8:00 PM on Monday, February 3, 2020. Memorials have been designated to St. Marys Catholic Church or MercyOne Medical Center, Long Term Care, and may be dropped off or mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, C/O Rosencrants family, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be expressed online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
2020-02-03 18:00:00
20:00:00
Lange Funeral Home & Crematory
1900 South 18th St
Centerville
IA
52544
Mass of Christian Burial
2020-02-04 10:00:00
St. Mary's Catholic Church
828 South 18th Street
Centerville
IA
52544
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