1923
Mary
2008
Mary Margaret Benda
June 16, 1923 — September 5, 2008
Mary M. Benda, 85, of Waterville, IA, died Friday, September 5, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon, IA. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 9th, at 11:00 AM at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry, IA, with Fr. Louis Trzil officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 4:00 PM scripture service.
Mary Margaret Benda was born on June 16, 1923 on the Linton Township, rural Harpers Ferry, IA farm of her parents, Timothy B. and Mary (Donahue) Egan. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius at Cherry Mound Catholic Church and attended rural Linton Township schools. On May 3, 1949 she married Lawrence Vincent Benda at the St. Pius Cherry Mound Church. Mary and Lawrence farmed for many years in Linton Township. She was an extremely hard worker on the farm and a very busy mother raising their 8 children. Mary was known for her huge vegetable garden and all the canning and freezing of produce she did. She was also an excellent baker, and her home made bread was a family favorite.
Mary was a life-long member of St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church where she taught CCD, was a member of the Rosary Society and served as a unit leader. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post in Harpers Ferry, IA. Mary loved music and liked to go dancing at area dance halls. She enjoyed traveling and had a particularly good time on a trip to Ireland, a visit to Des Moines to see the Pope, and two trips to Branson, MO. In more recent years she has enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and going out to eat with her friends.
Survivors include her 8 children, Lawrence (Marsha) and Paul (Kathy) Benda, both of Waukon, Mary (Lon) Bloesch of Madison, WI, Bill (Denise) Benda and Marcy (Steve) Palmer, both of Monona, IA, and Robert (Cheryl), Don (Amy) and Roger Benda, all of Sun Prairie, WI; 15 grandchildren, Tim, Tom, Tanya, Ted and Travis Benda, Matt and Mark Benda, Alex and Courtney Benda, Mike and Nick Palmer, Angie and Jason Benda, and Natalie and D.J. Benda; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Rose Ella Valley and Helen (Vernis) Haberichter, both of Waukon; 3 sisters-in-law, Myrtle Egan of Harpers Ferry, IA, Cecelia Benda of Prairie du Chien, WI and Rose (John) Robholz of Madison. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lawrence, who died in 1995; a granddaughter, Megan Benda; 2 brothers, John and Tim Egan; and a sister, Catherine Ferring.
Her grandchildren will serve as honorary casketbearers. Casketbearers will be John Egan, Don Ferring, Tom Haberichter, Tim Valley and Dave and Don Schlitter.
Mary Margaret Benda was born on June 16, 1923 on the Linton Township, rural Harpers Ferry, IA farm of her parents, Timothy B. and Mary (Donahue) Egan. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius at Cherry Mound Catholic Church and attended rural Linton Township schools. On May 3, 1949 she married Lawrence Vincent Benda at the St. Pius Cherry Mound Church. Mary and Lawrence farmed for many years in Linton Township. She was an extremely hard worker on the farm and a very busy mother raising their 8 children. Mary was known for her huge vegetable garden and all the canning and freezing of produce she did. She was also an excellent baker, and her home made bread was a family favorite.
Mary was a life-long member of St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church where she taught CCD, was a member of the Rosary Society and served as a unit leader. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post in Harpers Ferry, IA. Mary loved music and liked to go dancing at area dance halls. She enjoyed traveling and had a particularly good time on a trip to Ireland, a visit to Des Moines to see the Pope, and two trips to Branson, MO. In more recent years she has enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and going out to eat with her friends.
Survivors include her 8 children, Lawrence (Marsha) and Paul (Kathy) Benda, both of Waukon, Mary (Lon) Bloesch of Madison, WI, Bill (Denise) Benda and Marcy (Steve) Palmer, both of Monona, IA, and Robert (Cheryl), Don (Amy) and Roger Benda, all of Sun Prairie, WI; 15 grandchildren, Tim, Tom, Tanya, Ted and Travis Benda, Matt and Mark Benda, Alex and Courtney Benda, Mike and Nick Palmer, Angie and Jason Benda, and Natalie and D.J. Benda; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Rose Ella Valley and Helen (Vernis) Haberichter, both of Waukon; 3 sisters-in-law, Myrtle Egan of Harpers Ferry, IA, Cecelia Benda of Prairie du Chien, WI and Rose (John) Robholz of Madison. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lawrence, who died in 1995; a granddaughter, Megan Benda; 2 brothers, John and Tim Egan; and a sister, Catherine Ferring.
Her grandchildren will serve as honorary casketbearers. Casketbearers will be John Egan, Don Ferring, Tom Haberichter, Tim Valley and Dave and Don Schlitter.
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