A Celebration of Life was held for David Benjamin “Ben” Luther, 46, of Grimes, Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10:30 am at Linduska Field in Jefferson.
Words of comfort were offered by the Rev Charlie Thompson, coach Bill Kibby, coach Kevin Lazard, and Chris Vierling. Honorary bearers were Justin East, Sam Anderson, Andy Ostlund, Jamie Ostrander, Kevin Lazard, Chris Vierling and Marty Flaherty.
Private interment will take place at a later date at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
David Benjamin Luther, son of Dave and Pat Meyer Luther, was born August 12, 1973 in Jefferson. Ben died at his home in Grimes on July 25, 2020, at the age of 46 years.
Ben grew up in Jefferson, where he made many lifelong friends and formed a love for the game of football. Ben graduated from Jefferson-Scranton High School in 1991. After high school, Ben went to Simpson College where he played football. He then transferred to the University of Northern Iowa and obtained a bachelor’s degree, where he pursued a career in social work. Ben then attended Iowa State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in education. He continued his education at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI, where he graduated with his Master’s in Education.
On July 31, 1999, Ben was united in marriage to Kimberly Wistenberg in Jefferson. They later parted ways, but were the proud parents of two children, Jackson (17) and Aubree (14).
Ben went to work as a middle school teacher in the Urbandale Community School District, where he proudly taught for 20 years. Ben loved his work, he loved his students, and many times he said that his was “the best job in the world!” Ben’s love of football continued, and he was a high school coach for the Urbandale J-Hawks for many years.
Ben loved the city of Chicago and was an avid Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks fan. He was a huge fan of Mickey Mouse (Steamboat Willie) and all things Disney. Ben loved to share his own love of Disney with his children, where he enjoyed taking them on multiple trips to Disney World. He enjoyed wearing crazy socks and was never disappointed when he opened presents from the kids at Christmas time to find the craziest socks they could pick out for him. Ben loved his friends and most importantly he loved his family more than anything.
Ben was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Robert and Cleopha Luther, and his maternal grandparents Russell Meyer and June Meyer Farrow. He is survived by Kim Luther and his children Jackson and Aubree Luther of Urbandale; his parents David and Pat Luther of Jefferson; his brother Cale (Susanne) Luther of Quitman, GA; Jack and Dorene Tuhn (in-laws) of Jefferson and Lois Wistenberg (in-law) of Jefferson; and countless family and friends.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
