White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Jesup – Katherine Rose “Kay” (Tonne) Bengston, 88 years old of rural Independence, IA, at Littleton, died Saturday, February 2, 2013, at her home.  She was born March 17, 1924 in Manchester, IA, the daughter of Henry John Spoerl and Mayme Wilhemina “Mae” Weber.  She was adopted by August Fred “Bud” Tonne at the age of 12. Kay completed half her senior year at East High School in Waterloo, before contracting diphtheria. She worked at Grant’s Department Store in the pet department. On June 7, 1940, she married Andrew Alexander Bengston in Waverly, IA.  Kay worked at Hinson’s Mfg. for a couple years during World War II.  Kay was later employed at West Elementary and Edison Elementary in Waterloo as a cook.  Andy and Kay moved to Littleton in 1967, where they started the Bengston Game Farm.  Andy and Kay spent their winters from 1973-86 at South Padre Island, TX.  Kay was a member of the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church in Littleton and served as part of the session for many years. Kay’s other hobbies included gardening, cooking, the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

Kay is survived by her husband Andrew of rural Independence, IA, at Littleton; one daughter, Andrea “Cookie” (Murray) Thorpe of rural Independence, IA, at Littleton (Chatham area); one son Terry (Monica) Bengston of rural Fairbank, IA; one half-brother Junior H. (Peg) Grimm of Waterloo; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; and 1 step-great grandchild.

Kay was preceded in death by her father in 1977; her mother in 1986; one son Dennis in 2002; a half-brother Don D. Grimm, in 2012; and one granddaughter Tamara Bengston.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. – Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at the White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, with burial in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo, IA.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5th at the White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA.