Benedict Martin "Ben" Klenda

Benedict “Ben” Martin Klenda, 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, and coach, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

Ben was born on November 8, 1939, in Hillsboro, Kansas, to Martin and Magdalen Klenda. He attended St. John’s Catholic School in Pilsen, Kansas through 8th grade, and then attended St. Procopius Academy and College in Lisle, Illinois. After completing his studies and teaching in Illinois for one year, Ben returned home to Kansas to help on the family farm.

On August 31, 1965, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Frazier at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anthony, Kansas. Together they shared 60 years of marriage, raising their family with love, faith, and commitment.

Ben’s teaching career spanned decades. He began at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, where he taught for eight years before moving to Southeast High School in Wichita. There, he taught mathematics for 25 years, inspiring generations of students with his knowledge, patience, and dedication.

He was an avid sports fan and athlete, known for his love of baseball, basketball and football. He especially cherished coaching his son’s baseball teams for many years. Outside of the classroom and ball field, Ben was deeply devoted to his Catholic faith and community, remaining active in both St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita and his childhood parish of St. John Nepomucene in Pilsen.

Ben is survived by his wife, Mary “Mary Lou” Klenda; children Kristine (Carl) Davis of Wichita, Sean Klenda of Wichita, and Kameron (Christoph) Bausch of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Drew Elizabeth Davis (fiancé Kyler Womack), Trey Bennett Davis, Jakob, Amelia, Aubrey, and Jordan Bausch; brothers Dr. Martin (Frances) Klenda, Pat Klenda, Mark Klenda, John (Pam) Klenda, and Mike (Janiece) Klenda; sisters Mary Jo (Dr. Dennis) Dlabal, Sharon Hatfield, and Susie (Joe) Ragole; sisters-in-law Brenda Klenda and Carol Klenda; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Joseph, David, and Tom Klenda.

A Rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 19, 2025, and the Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m., both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Wichita. A graveside service will be 3:00 pm that day at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Cemetery, Pilsen.

A memorial has been established with St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church (Pilsen), 415 North Cedar Street, Marion, Kansas 66861 and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 North Socora Street, Wichita, Kansas 67212.

Services are in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary – West Chapel.