Carol Benke, 73, Middle River, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middle River, with Father Luis Buitron presiding. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Middle River.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Monday, Aug. 29 at the church. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday at the church.
Carol Ann (Banaszewski) Benke was born May 16, 1943, in Nelson Park Township, Marshall County, the daughter of Frank and Florence (Nowacki) Banaszewski. She was raised in the Florian area and baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church. Carol attended Englund Country School until eighth grade. She graduated in 1961 from Strandquist High School.
Following high school, she worked at the Karlstad State Bank, which is currently Prime Security Bank. Prior to retirement in 2009, she worked for Wells Fargo Bank in Thief River Falls for seven-and-a-half years. Following retirement, Carol assisted on the family farm as she always had with cattle and the farm operation.
On Nov. 26, 1966 Carol was united in marriage to Raymond Benke at Assumption Catholic Church in Florian. They were blessed with five children: Bradley, Rayette, Jeffrey, Michael, and Patrick. For the last 49 years, they have made their home near Middle River in Spruce Valley Township, Marshall County.
Carol enjoyed reading, puzzles, playing cards, canning, gardening, baking and cooking for her family, and attending her grandchildren’s activities.
She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt and friend.
Carol is survived by her husband, Raymond of Middle River; children, Bradley (Joey) Benke of Middle River, Rayette (Michael) Schramm of Willmar, Jeffrey (Dawn) Benke of Newfolden, Michael (Jennifer) Benke of Middle River, and Patrick (Debbi) Benke of Greenbush; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Janice (Robert) Blazejewski of Strandquist; sister-in-law, Barbara Banaszewski of Roseau; brother-in-law, Ronnie (Barbara) Benke of Newfolden; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dewayne Banaszewski Sr. on Oct. 6, 2014; sister, Janet Gostanczik on July 12, 2012; and brother-in-law, Leonard Benke on Dec. 28, 2004.
A00003B2016AG31