Benda family perseveres after destructive tornado
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
On Oct. 8, 1997, a tornado struck the Marcel Benda homestead at 2020 280th, northeast of Pilsen, destroying a machine shed and rendering useless much of the machinery inside.
Marcel, his wife, Irma, and son William, 32, have spent the past five years gradually rebuilding their losses.
"Little by little, we're getting it all together again," William said.
Marcel wanted to quit when he saw the destruction, but Irma persuaded him to keep going.
"Not all is lost," she told him. "You've still got a lot left."
Fortunately, some farm equipment including a tractor was at another location.
Marcel and William spent much time looking for used equipment similar to that which was destroyed.
They bought nearly identical combines (International 403 and 303) and a baler. They use the damaged ones for parts. A used four-wheel drive truck replaced the one that was destroyed.
A new machine shed was built.
The house was not severely damaged although 13 windows were blown out and several rafters broken.
Carpeting was replaced in one room and sheet rock installed on several ceilings.
A couch imbedded with glass was replaced. Some furniture, still in use, bears marks left by flying glass.
The Bendas are not big farmers by modern-day standards. Marcel owns 320 acres of land. William owns an additional 116. They work together in operating the farm.
William has a small feeder pig operation and Marcel has a small herd of beef cows.
They have not participated in federal farm programs for a number of years. Marcel said he got tired of the frustrations of meeting all the rules and regulations.
"It seemed that I sometimes had to give back more than I got," he said.
The Bendas always have operated frugally. They have a comfortable home, have health insurance, and work hard at staying out of debt.
"It depends on how you spend your money," Marcel philosophized. "If you have brand-new equipment and high payments, you'll never make it."
"If we have to buy something on time, we work at paying it off as soon as possible," Irma said. They recently had to replace the kitchen stove.
Irma has a washer and dryer but likes to air-dry clothes whenever possible.
"They smell better," she said.
She also has a small garden. She said the tornado messed up her garden and its fence, so she has cut back on gardening.
Marcel soon will turn 70. He said his monthly Social Security check has been a big benefit in meeting living expenses.
William continued to farm with his father after graduating from Centre High School in 1989. He worked at accumulating savings when crops and prices were good. Those savings have helped him buy equipment and land and recoup losses suffered in the tornado.
Marcel does most of their own mechanical work, which provides a huge savings considering the high cost of labor.
"I'm letting William do it now," he said. "He needs to know how to do it."
William, who is single, said he enjoys farming and plans to spend his life at it.
The Bendas decry the fact that many of their former neighbors are no longer there. Some have died, others have moved away.
"We feel all alone out here," Irma said.
The unfolding story
William is the fourth generation of Bendas to live and work on the Benda farm.
The original Benda homestead was purchased in 1878 by Marcel's grandfather, Michael, from the Santa Fe Railroad. Michael had followed several brothers who came to Kansas from Iowa.
He lived in a dug-out on the 80 acres until 1880, when he got married and built a rock house. He also acquired an adjoining 80 acres.
In 1919, he retired to Lincolnville and passed the farm on to William, his youngest son.
In 1923, William built a wood-frame house. The carpenter was Ed Haefner, a resident of Lincolnville.
William also accumulated more property.
He had two sons, Paul and Marcel. The two men farmed with their father and later farmed together for many years, each with a son. In 1992, they decided to go separate ways.
Marcel and Irma moved onto the home place when his father died in 1967. He originally borrowed money to update equipment but since then has worked to keep it up with very little replacements; that is, until the tornado struck.
Marcel and William recently overhauled an 830 John Deere which they use as a plow tractor. It has no cab.
"I hate cabs," Marsh said. "It doesn't take long and the glass is covered with dust."
Irma sews some of her own clothes. She also works as a volunteer at St. Luke Living Center.
The Bendas have been married 33 years. They enjoy polka music.
"When we get tired of farming, we go to town or go dancing," Irma said.
