David Beenken was a staple in his community. A proud farmer since 1976, his farming career was full of challenges, including the crisis in the 1980s and producing pigs in the 1990s. While he had a love for farming, he also had a love for tractors and went to school to be a diesel mechanic.
“He was the neighborhood mechanic,” says Caleb Hamer, a farmer in Hudson, Iowa. “Anything of his genre. he'd be willing to work on.”
People who knew David Beenken say he was a man with a generous soul, always eager and willing to help.
“He was so outgoing,” says Scott Beenken, a farmer in Hudson, Iowa and David’s son. “He was a social animal, really. He thrived with people.”
David had a memorable smile rooted in compassion, and a farmer who will now be missed.
“Dad passed away really suddenly after being diagnosed with lung cancer,” says Beenken.
With COVID-19 restrictions, the community knew a traditional service wasn’t possible. So, they orchestrated a special tribute. “The entire route between the town and the cemetery, farmers had lined up their equipment,” says Beenken.
A 12 mile stretch from the church to the cemetery lined with tractors, some equipment even featured signs and banners.
“It was a really, really touching tribute,” says Beenken. "It just goes to show you how much the closeness of the farming community really means to everybody."
The final farewell to a friend, also serving as a reminder even in the midst of social separation, bonds and friendships can’t be broken...
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Here is the Farm Journal video report:
https://www.agprofessional.com/article/touching-tractor-tribute-iowa-man-who-lost-battle-cancer?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0dZeU16UmlNMk15TldSaCIsInQiOiJzN0VNVWNDTE12SWl4enBXNzE5TWVPRThjXC9UaEtNbGFIbmlOSmpQbDN0cEllTEN1RTZvWVI0Yk8yOXJFNzV3T1JubWhnR1wvS1czenhkblNneE11S1k0S3RPcmFRMkZKRTdWM0RTTGtUXC9RM3dSTDVTZ0RqMFlXMHVMaEI4dFwvc1UifQ%3D%3D
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