Obituary of Florence E. Benkowski

Florence E. Benkowski, age 89, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Saturday October 24, 2015 at Strawberry Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wisconsin Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. David Bruener will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday until the time of service at church. A rosary will be said at 10:30 A.M. prior to the Mass at the church. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is assisting the family. Florence was born March 21, 1926 in Madison, WI to Harold and Ethel (Kruger) Riley. She married Louis Benkowski on July 2, 1945 in Baraboo, WI. The couple was blessed with 50 years of marriage; Louis passed away on June 25, 1996. Florence was a devout Catholic woman and was an active parishioner at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. She enjoyed helping with the Lenten fish fries. Florence was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She excelled in her role as a homemaker and always put her family first; she gave them unconditional love. Florence is survived by four children: Susane (Dan) Koehler of Skandia, MI, Kenneth Benkowski of Marshfield, Bernard Benkowski of Wisconsin Rapids, and Richard Benkowski of Madison; granddaughter Sarah (Jeff) Beltz and two great-grandsons: Samuel and Lukas Beltz. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Louis; sons: Harry and Frank; grandson Ralph and brothers: Harold and Charles Riley.