Bennie McGrath

Bennie A. McGrath, 84, of Clarion passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020 at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

Bennie Aaron, son of Homer and Ullo (Suiter) McGrath, was born on September 13, 1936 on the farm south of Clarion. He grew up in the Clarion area and attended school in Clarion where he wrestled.

Bennie farmed for a while before he got in to the agriculture fertilizer business. He later worked at Monsanto. After retirement, Bennie enjoyed taking care of the lawns at the Meadows and the hospital in Clarion. He loved to garden and give away his produce.

On May 13, 1983, Bennie was united in marriage to Linda (Shillington) Erickson at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Family was important to Bennie and he loved spending time with his grandchildren. All of his grandkids, nieces, and nephews got a special nickname from Bennie.

In his younger years, Bennie enjoyed golfing with friends. He loved to be outside taking care of the garden or mowing the lawn. Bennie was a jokester and liked to tell a good joke or two. He played Santa for many years for the Holmes Christmas Club.

Bennie is survived by his wife Linda McGrath of Clarion; son Dennis (Jane) McGrath of Clarion, son Doug (Donna) McGrath of Cumming, Georgia, daughter-in-law Jona McGrath of Clarion, daughter Anne Erickson of Post Falls, Idaho, and son Tom Erickson of Eagle Grove; 10 grandchildren Denae McGrath, Randy (Jamie) McGrath, Tiffany (Stephen) Jones, Lydia Moon, Blake (Casey) McGrath, Kylie Marneris, Aubrey Davis, Zach (Whitney) Dahlgren, Cubby (Ashley) Dahlgren, and Mikayla (Austin) Walker; 16 great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son Daryl; and siblings Virginia Hiemstra, Della Southard, and Howard McGrath.

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