Sally I. Benner

Sally Irene Benner, 63, of St. Joseph died at home on April 22, 2009, in the care of hospice and her family. She was born on April 12, 1946 in St. Joseph to Irene E. (Warskow) Marquardt and Richard W. Marquardt. Following graduation from St. Joseph High School and from Michigan State University with a degree in social work Sally worked for Hennepin County (Minnesota) Welfare and locally as an adoption worker for the State of Michigan. In October, 1968, Sally married William E. Benner of St. Joseph. Sally and Bill moved to Minneapolis, but returned home to St. Joseph in May, 1970. Following the birth of their first daughter in 1973, Sally’s attention turned to raising her children, homemaking and volunteer service. She was a deliberate and disciplined worker throughout her life. As a student, wife, mother, volunteer or friend she devoted herself to the task at hand and kept the commitments she made. Sally would rather roll up her sleeves than serve on a board or participate in a planning meeting. She had been an active member of Zion Evangelical UCC Church in St. Joseph where she was raised and married and, since 2002, she was a member of First Congregational Church in St. Joseph. Sally served as one of the first volunteers at Hospice at Home, as a Life Member of Women’s Service League, Past President of P.E.O. Chapter DV and as a volunteer chaplain at Lakeland Hospital until her cancer diagnosis in December, 2004. In 2000, Sally was recognized as a Samaritan of the Year by the Samaritan Counseling Center of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph. Sally was a loyal and longtime supporter of many charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, Heifer International and Hospice at Home/Lory’s Place. Happiest spending time with her family, her friends, keeping a tidy home, digging or pruning in her garden, enjoying her dog, Gracie, or calling on friends and neighbors, Sally also expressed her concern and compassion for others by sending countless cards and notes over the years. Sally is survived by her husband, her daughters, Emily E. Benner (Allen Schrott) of Ann Arbor and Aubree E. Benner and fiancé Gregory DiGennaro of Portage, Michigan; her brothers Richard G. (Lea) Marquardt of Nashville, TN, James E. Marquardt of St. Joseph, Robert C. (Norma) Marquardt of Pottsville, Pennsylvania; father-in-law, William H. Benner, MD of St. Joseph, sisters-in-law, Susan R. (John Meeks) Benner of Chicago and Jennifer K. (Dale) Shaller of Stillwater, MN; dear cousins, a nephew, nieces, and godson Jacob Wagner. Sally was preceded in death by her parents, her mother-in-law, Catherine E. Benner, and infant daughter, Amanda Elizabeth Benner. Memorials to honor Sally’s memory may be made to Hospice at Home, Lory’s Place or charity of the donor’s choice. Memorial Services celebrating Sally’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Rev. Dr. Robert Braman and Rev. Karen Potter officiating. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.