"I sure miss Grandma Lee. Some of my most memorable times are the weeks I would spend with her and Grandpa in Wittenberg during my summers in middle school. It was always quite busy and of course.... humid. The body shop was still open and running at the time. She would babysit my cousin Addy, make lunch and get dinner ready while handling everything else in the house too. Grandma would play the radio all day long back then, usually a country station. Whenever I hear some of those 80's country songs it still brings me back. She was always the one of the first people up in the morning to make coffee and definitely the last one to go to bed. Grandma would finish her day with the Johnny Carson show and David Letterman. I never had quite the energy to stay up as late as her. She and Grandpa always had ways to keep me entertained, whether it was helping in the garage, crushing beer cans for scrap or going to the Red Owl. She knew I liked reading comic books at the time and once we all drove to Wausau just so I could visit a large bookstore. You always had the feeling that Bernie and Lee 'got' you and knew where you were coming from. Grandma did everything in her power just to make life more enjoyable for you. She would often worry that I might be too bored, cold, warm, hungry or tired when in fact I was having some of the best times of my life because of her presence. I love you Grandma, thank you for such great memories. "
In loving memory of
Leona "Lee" Benzala
October 13, 1930 - June 11, 2015
Leona "Lee" Benzala, of Antigo, died Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after complications from surgery. She was 84 years old. She was born on October 13, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois a daughter of William and Michaline (Kazmierczek) Kerstein. She married Bernard Benzala on September 9, 1950 in Chicago. Lee and Bernie provided a loving home where their daughters felt blessed to have them as parents. Bernie preceded her in death on June 10, 2012.
Mrs. Benzala worked as a waitress. She and her husband owned and operated Bernies Body Shop in Wittenberg for over 34 years where Lee served as bookkeeper.
Spending time with family was most valuable to Lee. Her hobbies included gardening, crossword puzzles, reading, cooking, crocheting, bowling and shooting pool.
Survivors include three daughters, Judy (Gordon) Rutter of Roseburg, Oregon, Janice (Scott) Rutter of Merrill, Jeanne (James) Miller of Elcho; four grandchildren, Matthew Rutter, Kent (Kristin) Rutter, Addison Rutter, Kendall Rutter; two great grandchildren Isaac and Hannah Rutter.
She was preceded in death by her husband, one sister Michaline Peters; four brothers, William, Ronald, Kenneth and Theodore Kerstein.
A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial will take place in Holy Family Cemetery in Wittenberg. Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Bradley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Eastview for the kind and loving care given to Leona the past three years.
Tributes
"Jun 15, 2015 Being a nephew I always known Aunt Lee (Leona) as one of the most loving, welcoming and caring person I've ever met. While traveling to the UP from Milwaukee, this would be one of our stops, to Aunt Lee and Uncle Bernie's house. We were always welcomed with a table full of food and snacks where we talked and laughed and catching up on new things not to mention, reminiscing the old before continuing on our trip. I was also fortunate to spend some summers there, where I was able to work with Uncle Bernie and enjoy all the caring that Aunt Lee had to offer. She loved her family so much and anyone could see it, every time they looked at her, her smile made you feel at home. Thank you for sharing your life with us; this is something we will never forget. Much love to all and our deepest condolences, Joe and Donna "
"Aunt Lee was a special lady..warm, welcoming and very patient. Always made sure to accommodate our family year after year as we drove through Wittenburg. These are good memories for all of us. Sorry for your loss. It's hard to say goodbye. We love you! Yvette"
"Dear Benzala family~ I had the great honor to have been able to spend some time with and get to know your parents over the past few years. I am humbled and blessed to have been a witness of the love and adoration they shared for each other. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers~ Deepest sympathies, Beth"
"In 1970, after the loss of a close friend, I needed a mom to console me and went to Leona. Interesting because it would be about a year before her oldest daughter and I began dating. I just knew she was a mom and that was the place to go. I was the first guy to marry into the family but was always treated more like a son than a son-in-law. The first year Judy and I were married, Leona bought me a set of Craftsman tools for my birthday. I've yet to meet any married guy with a better mother-in-law story than that. I love her and will miss her dearly, but I have well over 40 years of special memories of time spent with Leona and the Benzala family. Gordon Rutter"