Benjamin Zemlicka

Benjamin (Ben) G. Zemlicka (age 72) passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019 at Unity Point Hospital in Des Moines. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 29, 1947 to Benjamin and Helen (Niemira), Ben was the oldest of three boys. He married the love of his life, DiAnna, in 1970 and would have celebrated 49 years of marriage this November. 
Ben worked for the Sears Corporation his entire career, which brought him and DiAnna to Iowa in 1978. In his 37 years with Sears, he managed stores in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Iowa, including stores in Waterloo, Marshalltown, Ames and Mason City. Ben retired from Sears in 2005, and moved to Waukee in 2013 to be closer to his children and grandchildren. 
Anyone who knew Ben referred to him as “a very kind man,” and also knew that his passion in life was his family. One of Ben’s greatest joys was gathering the family together for their annual July 4th trip to the Lake of the Ozarks – a trip he and his family were blessed to share together before he passed. 
Ben was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bob. Ben is survived by his wife, DiAnna (Petrus), and his son Ben (Becky Cripps), son Jim (Danielle Corwin), and daughter Lisa (Phil Glenn). Also left to cherish his memory are nine grandchildren, Ashlynn & Drew (Ben & Becky); Jake, Ethan & Bryce (Jim & Danielle); and Alex, Alaina, Quinn & Hazel (Lisa & Phil); as well as his brother, Jerry. 
The family will receive friends and visitors at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 Warrior Lane in Waukee, Iowa 50263, on Wednesday, July 17th from 5 to 7 pm, with recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. The funeral will be held on Thursday, July 18th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Boniface, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Ave, Des Moines. The services will conclude with a luncheon at St. Boniface in Waukee. 
In lieu of flowers, Ben requested that memorial contributions be made to the nonprofit organizations he supported: Ruth Harbor Ministries, the Food Bank of Iowa, or the Central Iowa Shelter & Services.