Benda, Luella May (Herold) 1914-2006
BENDA, HEROLD, SBIRAL, ANDERSON, GOETTELMAN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/13/2012 at 12:24:27
Luella Benda, age, 92 of Spillville, IA. died Saturday July 29, 2006 at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah after a short illness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday August 1, 2006 at 10:30 At the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA. By Rev Donald Hawes with Burial in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be after 9:30 at the Church on Tuesday only. Balik Funeral Home in Spillville is handling the arrangements.
Luella May (Herold) Benda was born March 28, 1914 the daughter of Fred and Emma (Sbiral) Herold. She had one younger brother, Richard. She grew up on a farm between Spillville and Protivin. She attended Winneshiek Co. Country School. In 1936, she married Elmer Benda of Spillville, and they had two children, Roger born in 1938 and Leanne born in 1946. Luella had five granddaughters, Joan, Janice, Julie, Joyce, and Jennifer, and four great-grandchildren, Shawn, Sheila, Zachary, and Desiree. Shawn preceded her in death in 2001.
Mother was a devoted Catholic and prayed daily for her family. She believed in the power of prayer and read every word of the Old and the New Testaments three times. It was mother's deep religious beliefs that carried her through the tragedies and heartaches of her life.
Mother's hobbies included fishing, dancing with her Elmer, reading, crocheting, bingo, bus trips, cooking, baking, making hand-tied quilts for her family, going for drives, and eating out. Mother worked at the Turkey Plant in Postville, and part-time for the school lunch program in Spillville and the kitchen at the Inwood Ballroom. She owned a loom and for years wove and sold beautiful rugs. She grew up during the Great Depression and knew how to live within her means. By her example, she taught her family to do likewise. Elmer and Luella's favorite song was "You Are My Sunshine." Despite numerous eye surgeries, Luella was an avid reader. Over her lifetime, she read thousands of books. Her favorite authors were John Grisham and Danielle Steele. It was through books that mother traveled the world and allowed her mind to escape the hardships of her life.
Mother moved to the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, at age 91, and it was there that she met the angels in our world. The severe osteoarthritis that she suffered with for years finally claimed her to where she was no longer able to do the things necessary to live alone. She adjusted well to her new surroundings and accepted what God chose for her to endure. Mother was a lady of strength, courage, and perseverance.
As we say good-bye to Mother, we know she is cradled in the arms of the Lord she held dear to her heart. She's now once again with her Elmer, her first great-grandson Shawn, and her parents, brother, and other relatives and dear friends. She leaves behind her son, Roger, his wife, Mary, and granddaughters, Joan, Janice, Julie, Joyce, and Jennifer, and great-grandchildren, Sheila Anderson, Zachary Benda and Desiree Benda; and her daughter, Leanne Goettelman, her devotedly faithful son-in-law Dale, and her little fur-grandgirl, Emma, who brought her so very much happiness.
Sleep peacefully, Mom.
Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database
St. Wenceslaus Catholic cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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