Gary Allen Bensley
Gary Bensley, 87, of Dallas Center, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the VA Central Iowa Healthcare System in Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will begin from 10:00 - 11:00 A.M. with memorial services following immediately at 11:00 A.M. at the Dallas Center Methodist Church on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Gary was born on February 20, 1938, in England, Arkansas, to James and Alma (Bisbee) Bensley. When he was five his family relocated to Yale, Iowa then Altoona, Iowa, where he attended school. He met the love of his life, Velda Pratt, in Altoona and the couple got married. Gary joined the Air Force where he honorably served his country from 1955 -1958 in Portland, Oregon, as a jet airplane mechanic. After his service, they relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, then Santa Monica, California, before returning to Iowa and finally settled in Dallas Center, Iowa in 1965. Gary and his family owned and operated the DC Muffler Shop in Dallas Center. They also had a car lot and body shop. Gary built and pulled pulling trucks throughout the entire United States. Gary loved spending time with his family, truck pulling, working, fishing, watching NASCAR, and playing cards. He wa...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
member of the Minburn American Legion Post #99. Gary was preceded in death by his wife Velda, his parents James and Alma, great-grandson Jakob Mash, brothers Warren, Norval, Merle, and Marion, and sister Alice Beers. Those left to cherish his loving memory are his son Gary of Elkhart; daughters, Sheryl (Lynn) Clark of Colfax, Dianna Bennett and Marie (Greg) Hein of Dallas Center; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren; brother Harvey Bensley, brother-in-law Chuck Ballard, sister-in-law Cathy Bensley; and many friends. Memorial contributions may be directed to the VA Central Iowa Health Care, Community Living Hospice Team, 3600 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310, in Gary's name. Celebrate Life Iowa has been entrusted with the care of Gary and his family.
