Delphine Heston Benkert, age 100, formerly of Monroe, died on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Oak Park Place Nursing Home in Madison. She was born June 16, 1914 in Pleasant Valley, New York, near Poughkeepsie, the daughter of Robert and Sadie (Reick) Heston.
After her parents died in 1919, in the post-WWI flu epidemic, Delphine was raised by her aunt and uncle, George and Ruth Heston Shaler. (Delphine's brother Robert was raised by their grandparents.) He died January 27, 1981.
She was a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School, studied at Skidmore College and transferred to the University of Wisconsin, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She graduated with a degree in dietetics in 1935.
Delphine and Arthur Churchill Benkert were married on October 18, 1937. He died on August 7, 1994.
She is survived by her daughters: Carolyn (Lloyd) Bishop of Prescott Valley, AZ; Ruth (Richard) Bailey of Webster Groves, MO; Roberta (Hans) Bernet of Monroe; AFS daughter from Sri Lanka, Shirani (Sumith) Matugama, of Milwaukee; grandchildren: Michael (Janelle) Bailey, Sara Bailey, Laura Bailey, Martha (Eric) Bailey Doenning, Alex Bernet, Kate Bernet and AFS granddaughter, Sharmila Matugama and 7 great-grandchildren. She adored all of them, and was particularly thrilled to recently hold and sing a lullaby to the youngest, Nora Benkert Bailey, who was born in February, 2015.
She was president of the Monroe Woman's Club, served on the Monroe School Board, was active in St. John's United Church of Christ, St. Clare Hospital Auxiliary, New Glarus Home, Girl Scouts, AFS, and the Monroe Country Club. She was the last surviving member of her bridge club. She was an active community member and helped to save the Old Methodist Church to become the Monroe Arts Center and to bring the YMCA to Monroe.
She loved to travel, including visits to many Civil War sites with her husband, fishing trips with her family to northern Wisconsin, memorable visits to Switzerland, Scotland, Peru, Brazil and Sri Lanka, all because of family and friends in those places. In later years, she enjoyed cruises, and celebrated her 90th birthday with her whole extended family on a Caribbean cruise.
Delphine was a wonderful cook and enjoyed hosting dinner parties. She and her husband Art enjoyed their dinner group with three other Monroe couples, named by Art: SOME FUN (Society of Monroe Epicureans For Unusual Nutrition).
After Art's death in 1994, she moved to Venice FL; where she made many new friends, and continued to golf and play bridge regularly. At age 93, she was the oldest walker in a charity event to raise money for Alzheimer's research. After she broke her hip in 2008, she moved to Madison to be closer to her family. She has resided at the Assisted Living Unit of Oak Park Place in Madison since June of 2013.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established.
Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home is serving the family.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
After her parents died in 1919, in the post-WWI flu epidemic, Delphine was raised by her aunt and uncle, George and Ruth Heston Shaler. (Delphine's brother Robert was raised by their grandparents.) He died January 27, 1981.
She was a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School, studied at Skidmore College and transferred to the University of Wisconsin, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She graduated with a degree in dietetics in 1935.
Delphine and Arthur Churchill Benkert were married on October 18, 1937. He died on August 7, 1994.
She is survived by her daughters: Carolyn (Lloyd) Bishop of Prescott Valley, AZ; Ruth (Richard) Bailey of Webster Groves, MO; Roberta (Hans) Bernet of Monroe; AFS daughter from Sri Lanka, Shirani (Sumith) Matugama, of Milwaukee; grandchildren: Michael (Janelle) Bailey, Sara Bailey, Laura Bailey, Martha (Eric) Bailey Doenning, Alex Bernet, Kate Bernet and AFS granddaughter, Sharmila Matugama and 7 great-grandchildren. She adored all of them, and was particularly thrilled to recently hold and sing a lullaby to the youngest, Nora Benkert Bailey, who was born in February, 2015.
She was president of the Monroe Woman's Club, served on the Monroe School Board, was active in St. John's United Church of Christ, St. Clare Hospital Auxiliary, New Glarus Home, Girl Scouts, AFS, and the Monroe Country Club. She was the last surviving member of her bridge club. She was an active community member and helped to save the Old Methodist Church to become the Monroe Arts Center and to bring the YMCA to Monroe.
She loved to travel, including visits to many Civil War sites with her husband, fishing trips with her family to northern Wisconsin, memorable visits to Switzerland, Scotland, Peru, Brazil and Sri Lanka, all because of family and friends in those places. In later years, she enjoyed cruises, and celebrated her 90th birthday with her whole extended family on a Caribbean cruise.
Delphine was a wonderful cook and enjoyed hosting dinner parties. She and her husband Art enjoyed their dinner group with three other Monroe couples, named by Art: SOME FUN (Society of Monroe Epicureans For Unusual Nutrition).
After Art's death in 1994, she moved to Venice FL; where she made many new friends, and continued to golf and play bridge regularly. At age 93, she was the oldest walker in a charity event to raise money for Alzheimer's research. After she broke her hip in 2008, she moved to Madison to be closer to her family. She has resided at the Assisted Living Unit of Oak Park Place in Madison since June of 2013.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established.
Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home is serving the family.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.