Dena L. Schlesinger

Dena L. Schlesinger, 93, of Fort Dodge, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016 at the Marian Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 5, 2016 in the Chapel of Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating. Private burial will be at a later date in Corpus Christi Cemetery. A visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Dena is survived by her children, Douglas Benson (Barbara) of Fort Dodge; Victoria Bacon of Fort Dodge; David Benson (Mary) of Forney, TX; Ruth Schlesinger of Urbandale; Michael (Julie) Schlesinger of Marshalltown; Judy Van Alstine (Bruce) of Eagle Grove; Carol Pingel (Terry) of Fort Dodge; Lynee Schlesinger of Fort Dodge; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary (Roger) Enos of Fort Dodge; and Betty (Jim) Bockoven of Fort Dodge. She was preceded in death by her husband, David in 2015; parents, Alesio and Ersilica (Olinti) Vicini; sons, Denny and Allen Benson. Dena Lena Vicini was born May 20, 1922 in Salutio, Italy. At the age of eight, Dena moved to the Fort Dodge area with her family. She graduated from Otho High School and then continued her education at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Sioux City and Buena Vista. She was married to Russell Benson in 1945 and to this union three children were born: Doug, Vickie, and David. The couple later divorced. Dena worked in the nursing field for 39 years, and for a number of years she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital in Sioux City. She also was the Assistant Director of Nursing at Mercy Hospital in Fort Dodge and was the Director of Nursing at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital until retiring in 1984. Dena was united in marriage to David Schlesinger on June 24, 1977, and together they owned and operated Roman Inn until 2009. She was a member of Holy Trinity and participated in Fort Dodge Garden Club. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Visitation Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Service Fri, Feb 5, 2016 at 10:30 am Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501