Owen Eugene Beneda was born on April 14, 1936, in Oberlin, Kansas, to
John and Sarah Jane (Kennedy) Beneda. Owen grew up on the family farm,
12 miles south of McCook, Nebraska, and in 1948 they moved to McCook
where Owen attended school and graduated with the class of 1954 .
Owen was inducted into the United States Army on September 29, 1959.
He received the Good Conduct Medal and finished his military service
with the Nebraska Army National Guard where he was honorably discharged
in 1963 at the rank of sergeant.
Owen was united in marriage to
Lois Jane Wissbaum on October 19, 1969 at the First Assembly of God
Church in McCook. Owen and Lois Jane would make McCook their lifetime
home and they were both fifty plus year members of the First Assembly of
God Church.
Owen began employment as a mechanic with the EM
Slinger Motor Company in 1955. EM Slinger transitioned to the Lee
Janssen Motor Company and Owen continued to be a faithful employee until
they closed their doors in 2001. Owen went on to own and operate an
HVAC business, servicing countless residences and businesses in McCook
and the surrounding area. In 2018 an accident forced him into early
retirement. He enjoyed motorcycles and fishing, but he was quick to
admit that his favorite hobby was his work. Owen’s failing health
forced him to move to the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook in 2018; he
was a resident of Hillcrest when he passed away Tuesday morning, January
24, 2023. He was 86 years of age.
Owen was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Larry Wood; and a niece, Penney Wood.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Lois Jane Beneda of McCook;
sister, Mary Ann Wood of McCook; as well as cousins and friends.
Services were Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook
with Pastor Barry Johnson officiating. A private family graveside
service was at Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook.
In
lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First Assembly of God
Church in McCook or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online
condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been
entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.