Betty Jean Benhart

Betty J. Benhart, 78, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on Monday evening, January 21, 2013. A celebration of Betty's life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, January 26, 2013, from the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Friday, January 25, 2013 from the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. Burial will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa, Iowa. Betty was born in rural Grand Mound, Iowa, to Carl & Lena (Siemsen) Stender on Feb. 28, 1934, and moved to the Maquoketa area when she was 4 years old. She graduated from Maquoketa Community High School in 1951. Betty worked as a part-time bookkeeper for Jerry's Electric while raising her family. She retired after working with her daughter at Brenda's Flowers & Gifts for 16 years. Betty married the love of her life, Melvin "Red" Benhart on November 21, 1951. They were married by Rev. Harold Kumpf at the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. "Red" preceded her in death on September 20, 2009. Her fondest memories were of camping, boating, attending dances with friends, watching the Cubs and playing in card clubs. Her greatest joy in life was sp...[more]

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ing time with her family. Betty was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church. Betty was the cornerstone of her family, to whom she devoted her life. Those left to honor her memory include her children, Brenda (Skeeter) Grage, Larry (Cindy) Benhart, and Brian Benhart, all of Maquoketa, IA; a son-in-law, Dwain Trenkamp of Maquoketa, IA; a daughter-in-law, Debbie Benhart of Grinnell, IA; 10 grandchildren, Angela Petit, Jason Trenkamp, Jenny Trenkamp, Justin Trenkamp, Jeanna Trenkamp, Heather Said, Brendon Benhart, Miranda Benhart, Mya Benhart, and Jay Benhart; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren, 4 step-great-grandchildren; a sister Helen Bartels of Maquoketa, IA; sisters-in-law, Boots Tripp, Lois Juehring and Marilyn Jeffery; brothers-in-law, Ken (Carol) Brinkman and Ken (Barb) Benhart. In death she will be reunited with her husband, Red, her daughter, Linda Trenkamp, son, Allen Benhart, brothers, Melvin and Bob Stender, and a sister, Lois Brinkman. The family wishes to acknowledge the love and caring she received from Hospice of Jackson County, Jackson County Home Health, the Quad Cities Dialysis Unit, and her two angels, Margie Donatsch and Denise Kirk. A Betty J. Benhart memorial fund has been established. Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.