grave import

Obituary

Benjamin (Ben) Christ Lundell, 94, of Burlington, Iowa passed away peacefully at 5:33 pm on January 5, 2017 at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.
Ben was born on July 3, 1922, the last of 4 children born to Benjamin Pern Lundell and Kathryn Elizabeth Reichert Lundell in Burlington, Iowa. When he was 6 years old, his father passed away suddenly. Growing up during the Great Depression without assistance, each family member did what they could. When Ben was 8 years old, he would wake at 5 am to deliver newspapers, which he continued through his high school years. These events at such a young age triggered a lifetime of strong work ethic, frugality, self reliance and competitiveness.
Ben graduated from Burlington High School in 1941 and excelled as a lineman on the football team. After high school, he worked at JS Schramms. Ben then attended a government sponsored radio electronic school in Des Moines, Iowa and Manhattan, Kansas and was then inducted, August 9, 1943, to the Army Air Corps as a Radio Technician. He was honorably discharged as a Sargent in 1945.
Ben married the love of his life, Frances Mae Pilling, on October 12, 1947 in Burlington, Iowa. They were married 68 wonderful years until Fran's passing on December 23, 2015.
His working career at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company lasted 37 years until his retirement in August 1984, where he witnessed many advancements in telephone technology.
Ben always exercised and would spend his lunch hour at the YMCA jogging or playing racquetball. He also enjoyed golf, jogged until age 77 and was an avid tennis player until the age of 88. Ben and his family enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River visiting many sandbars to meet up with friends and later purchased a cabin on O'Connell Island. After retiring Ben and Fran spent over 20 years wintering in Palm Desert, California.
Ben was an avid gardener and enjoyed making pickles and growing green onions. He also loved playing cards including rummy, gin rummy, 3-13, bridge and poker. Ben played poker with friends on Monday night for 25 years. He was an avid Iowa football fan and attended home games for years with cousins, Jim and Julane Hugg. He especially loved the Lawrence Welk show on Saturday nights.
Ben was a life-long learner taking adult education classes or participating in Toastmasters, Dale Carnegie, computers, woodworking, metal casting and painting. He refinished brass and electrified oil lamps. He spent years remodeling the 100 year old family home on Walnut Street and built a new garage with the skills he learned by reading.
Ben is a current member of Kiwanis, Elks, Art guild and supports the Historical Society, Capitol Theatre and Civic Music. He was a former member of the YMCA, Moose, Burlington Country Club, Carthage Lake Club and Telephone Pioneers. He was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church until recently when he became a member of Messiah Lutheran Church near his residence. Both churches meant a great deal to him.
Those left to cherish his memory are: son, Dr. Chris (Susan) Lundell of Dubuque, Iowa and daughter, Diane Lundell Gray of Burlington, Iowa; four grandchildren, Katherine Lundell of Chicago, Illinois; Dr. Benjamin (Pieper) Lundell of Dubuque, Iowa; Joshua (Shanna) Gray of Warrenton, Virginia; Kathryn Gray of Yuma, Arizona and three great grandchildren; Yeardley, Walker and Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Alice Fye of Burlington, Iowa and Thelma (Bob McMurray of Fresno, California. Ben also leaves behind many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters Janice Victor, Grace (Michael) Reshatoff and brother Pern (Blanche) Lundell.
On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.lunningfuneralchapel.com. A memorial has been established for Kiwanis Club of Burlington, Great River Hospice House or to a charity of your choice. To honor Ben's life, visitation with family will be Sunday, January 8th from 3:00-5:00 pm with the funeral service being held Monday, January 9th, at 10:30 am at Lunning Funeral Home in Burlington, Iowa. Pastor Susanne Smith will be officiating. Burial will be immediately following the service at Aspen Grove Cemetery with a reception to follow.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the many doctors, nurses and staff who have assisted in his healthcare these past few years. Also, thank you to the many friends, neighbors and family who visited and helped in many ways. You have all touched our lives and we appreciate the care and love you gave to him and the entire family.