Oma E. Benzine

Oma Elaine Benzine, 94 of Randolph, formerly of Rio, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2023.  She was born May 13 1928, the second child of Clarence and Irene Forbush Brewer, of Pardeeville. She had three siblings; Robert, L'Raen Melby and Iona Finger. Oma was a resident of Randolph Care Center for the past seven years. Prior to that, she was fortunate to be a Rio resident the majority of her life. 

On February 18, 1950 Oma married Lyle Benzine. They had three children; Linda, Susan and Bob. Oma and Lyle were active in the Rio community for many years. Oma had numerous jobs throughout her life. Her favorite job was working for CESA as a Special Ed Assistant. She also worked for the Rio Public School System as one of the "lunch ladies". Oma was a wonderful baker and cake decorator. She baked every one of her children, grandchildren, niece's and nephew's wedding cakes. At the age of 82, her last cake was a wedding cake for her grandson Eric and his wife Jennifer. 

Her volunteer work included Sunday School Teacher, 4-H Club Leader, Band Mother's President and one of the many "welcome wagon ladies" for the Rio Volunteer Fire Department. When fires occurred in the middle of the night, she and other wives (often Betty Roberts) would "bundle up" the kids, take the key to Jim's Groceries, grab supplies, make sandwiches, brew coffee and get out to the fire site as soon as possible. Oma was a member, until closing, of St. John's Lutheran Church in Doylestown. Most recently, she was a member of St. Stephens Lutheran in Fall River. Pastor Gumm ministered to her the day before she died. He assured her she would be welcome in the kingdom of heaven. 

Survivors include daughters; Linda (Randy) Hall of Baton Rouge, LA and Susan of Oconomowoc; grandsons, Andy Hall (Jennifer) of Baton Rouge, LA and Dr. Eric Hall (Jennifer) of Madisonville, LA; granddaughter Chloe Hall (Andy & Jennifer); brother-in-law Dick Benzine of Madison;  sisters-in-law, Ethel Uttech of Beaver Dam and Shirley Benzine of Sun Prairie, and many nieces and nephews. Those welcoming her in heaven include spouse Lyle; son Bob; parents Clarence and Irene Brewer; in-laws Louie and Hilda Benzine; siblings, Robert Brewer, L'Raen Melby and Iona Finger, brothers-in-law; Carl Uttech, Merlin Reierson, Clifton Finger, Ralph Benzine and Curt Melby; sisters-in-law; Judy (Dick) Benzine Dorthy (Bob) Brewer, Joyce (Merlin) Reierson and Judy Benzine; nephew, John Reierson; nephew-in-law, Richard (Diane) Opperman and grand-nephew Jim Reierson. 

Funeral service will be held Friday, May 12 at 11 AM at Grasse Funeral Home in Rio with Rev. Tim Gumm officiating. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery in Doylestown. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 11 from 4 to 7 PM at Grasse Funeral Home and again from 10 AM until the time of service Friday. Memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 221 Main St. Fall River, WI 53932 or Randolph Health Services, Attn: Resident Council, 502 S. High St., Randolph, WI 53956.  

Thank you to Pastor Gumm and Dr. Sam Poser. A special thanks to JoAnn Evans and the entire staff at Randolph Care Center for their loving care of both our Mom and Dad. Oma was a loving Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother and Great-grandmother. She will always be in our thoughts and we will miss her dearly. 

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