BENTE, Magdalen 'Maggie' (Verdon) (Strub) 1933-2005

BENTE, VERDON, KURK, STRUB, TRUSSONI, MITCHELL

Posted By: Diana Diedrich (email)
Date: 12/3/2005 at 10:12:25

Strub-Bente

Magdalen "Maggie" Strub-Bente of Lansing, Iowa, was carried to Heaven Saturday, June 18, 2005, at an early age of 72 following a courageous four-month struggle that started with a stroke in Februayr. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing. Thornburg Hanson Funeral Home in Lansing is in charge of arrangements.

Maggie was born one of nine children to Leo and Matilda Verdon on May 10, 1933, in Lansing. She married Kenneth Strub July 19, 1949, and they had four children, Lynn, Rose, Bruce, and Renee. Her beloved daughter Lynn died at six months of age and Maggie will now rest at her side.

Maggie was later divorced. She then was blessed to fall in love with and marry Chester "Chet" Bente of Genoa, Wisc., February 14, 1987. Chet passed away April 24, 2000. Today they are all in Heaven together looking down on us.

Maggie is survived by her daughter, Rose (Bill) Trussoni of Genoa, and their children, Farrah of Switzerland, Alyssa (Fiance Will Catalani) of Madison, Wisc., and Shane Trussoni (Special friend Elisa Wittenwyler); her son, Bruce (Frieda) of Clinton, Iowa, and his two sons, Jeremy (Brandy) and their children Justin and Mia of Waukon, and Jason of Cedar Falls; and her daughter, Renee Strub (Kenny Johanningmeier) of Garnavillo.

Maggie's children and grandchildren and their significant others, along with so many others, are now feeling the pain of her loss and that is the test of a worthwhile life.

Chet's surviving family, although they all have their lives and families to attend to, have still tried their best to maintain a presence to demonstrate the importance of the connection created by their father and Maggie. To honor that connection, Maggie's family thanks her step-children, Chet (Jodie) Bente, Mariette (Dave) Donovan, Toni (Jerry) Furlano, Janette (Danny) Werner, Annette (Tim) Chapman, Matthew (Renee) Bente, and Lynette Bente, as well as their children, Matt, Kayli, Adam, Terry, Mary Kate, Nick, Gina, Jack, Ava, Alexis, Alicia, and Kadin.

Maggie has one surviving brother, Walter (Fran) Verdon of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; a special sister-in-law, Lucille (Lawrence) Mitchell of New Albin, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Helen (Neal) and Ruth Verdon (Lawrence) and many nieces and nephews and cousins, and an "adopted" family, Sam and Cheryl Kuhn and their children.

Preceding Maggie in death were her parents; her daughter Lynn; Ken; Chet; and siblings Lawrence, Dominic, Neil, Harriett Ausmann, Ray, Mary Bach, and Millie Goodell.

In her early years, Maggie worked as a clerk at Lansing IGA, then she assisted her husband in opening and operating River Lanes Bowling Alley in Lansing. In the past few years, Maggie enjoyed playing cards and socializing with many of her friends in various card clubs, frequenting the boat, singing in the Immaculate Conception Church choir, and traveling. Last November, Maggie traveled with Rose, Bill, and Renee to London, England, and Ireland to visit her granddaughter, Farrah, and in early February went on a cruise to the Cayman Islands with her good friend Delores and family and friends. She led a busy life and enjoyed it to the fullest.

Maggie also developed a relationship with Dr. Deetz and many of the nurses on the seventh and ninth floors at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center since February while being a patient there. They all loved her smile and bright eyes. It was said many times, "Maggie never complains," and when asked how she was, even during the worst of times, she would say, "just fine." She spent about a month at Thornton Manor being cared for by many familiar faces and the last few weeks of life were spent at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Bill. She was cared for with the love she instilled in her family throughout life and was surrounded by family and friends. Vernon Memorial Hospice assisted the family immensely.

Casketbearers will be her grandchildren, Farrah (in spirit only), Alyssa, and Shane Trussoni; Jeremy and Jason Strub; and nephews John Verdon and Ray Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers are Pete Rethwisch, Leo Garin, Sam Kuhn, Roger Reed, Glen Reed, and Jim Christensen.

Maggie was the daughter of Leo and Matilda Kurk Verdon.