Ben Shapiro

Ben Shapiro was born June 29, 1924 in Sioux City, Iowa to Jake and Lena (Swartz) Shapiro. He graduated from Sioux City Central High School prior to entering the US Navy in 1942.

Ben married Betty Lefkowitz of Omaha in 1947; after a honeymoon trip to New Orleans, the couple resided in Sioux City until Betty’s death in July 2023.

Ben started and successfully grew three Sioux City businesses: The General Stores, General Business Equipment and Office Furniture Wholesalers. He was well known in the Sioux City community for providing outstanding service and value with honesty and integrity.

Ben was also very deeply involved in the Sioux City Jewish community. He served as Shaare Zion Synagogue president, successfully organized and ran two community funding campaigns and had been very active in the local B’nai Brith organization. Ben was a founding governor of the Sioux City Jesse E. Marshall Boys Club and also served on the Board of the Sioux City Boys and Girls Club.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Sid, his sister Idell, his son Marc and his wife Betty. Ben is survived by three children, Larry (Sherry Shapiro), Penny (Mike Swanson) and Lynn (Patti McCarthy), eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Sunday, November 26 at 1:00pm at Independent Farane Cemetery, 3031-3099 South Lakeport.