Obit: Benzschawel, Helen Gertrude (1934 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Benzschawel, Osowski, Truse, Starck, Bland, Vetterkind

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 12/08/2021

Benzschawel, Helen Gertrude (8 August 1934 – 5 December 2021)

Helen G. Benzschawel 87, of Stanley, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Aspirus Stanley Hospital in Stanley.

Helen Gertrude Truse was born on August 8, 1934, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Charles and Gertrude (Osowski) Truse, Sr. As a young child, Helen's family moved to Thorp where she was raised and educated. She graduated from Thorp High School in 1953. Helen was united in marriage to Alvin J. Benzschawel, and they purchased his parent's dairy farm. They farmed together until their divorce. Later, Helen moved to rural Stanley, where she resided until her death.

Helen loved spending time with her family and especially enjoyed her parrot "Chewy". She would love to sing and dance with him. Helen always welcomed anyone into her home, where they enjoyed a good cup of coffee, or a drink of choice, and good conversation. She was always trying a new recipe out with her fresh herbs, vegetables, and seasonings. Among her many hobbies, she enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, smoking meat, watching cooking shows, watching a good western movie, or detective show, and looked forward to her lottery tickets. At the end of the day, she enjoyed a glass of wine and her favorite song: Red-Red-Wine! She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her 5 children: Dale (Kathy) Benzschawel of Thorp, Duane Benzschawel of Thorp, Elaine (Larry) Starck of Stanley, Linda (Hank) Bland of Fort Barnwell, NC, and Philip Benzschawel of Thorp; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter: Geraldine Benzschawel; her grandson: Christopher J. Starck; her sister: Frances "Tiny" Vetterkind, and 2 brothers: Robert and Charles Truse.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021, at Thorp Funeral Home in Thorp. Inurnment will be held at a later date in St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chad Starck, Chasity Simon, Carrie Derks, Crystal Maier, Jason Benzschawel, Craig Benzschawel, and Ryan Benzschawel. Honorary pallbearers will be Nicole Bland and Matthew Bland. Visitation will be held on Friday, at the funeral home, from 10:30 a.m. until time of service.