Obituaries

Wanda Benedict

Photo of Wanda Benedict
Wanda L. Benedict, 82, of Eldon, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City. On August 18, 1929, she was born in Boonville, to the late Claude and Helen (Campbell) Renken. On February 14, 1955, she was united in marriage in Springfield, to Eugene J. Benedict, who preceded her in death on March 28, 1995. Wanda was a very strong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Eldon and a very strong believer of the afterlife. She was a member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution and she studied opera in St. Louis, singing professionally. She attended Clown College and delighted many sick children and the elderly in her many visits. She was also a creative, award winning watercolor artist. She started out working as a trainer for Southwestern Bell, she was a substitute teacher for the Eldon Elementary School and she was employed with Family Services. She was a fabulous mother and homemaker. Wanda's special gift was making others happy. Survivors include: son and daughter-in-law, John and Susan Benedict of Washington; daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanie (Benedict) and Steve Yates of Ozark, and Geri (Benedict) and Jim Wiseman of Jefferson City; five grandchildren, Alex Benedict, Matt Benedict, Lauren Wiseman, Derek Wiseman and Stephanie (Yates) Whitescarver; two great-grandchildren, Josh and Zander; sisters, Juanita Rea of St. Charles and Helen "Nancy" (Renken) Vittur of Eldon; brother, Rex Pember of Eldon; sister-in-law, Evelyn (Renken) Geyer of Dallas, Texas. Her husband Gene, one brother, Jim Renken, and one brother-in-law, Harry Rea, preceded her in death. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, with a Rosary prayed at 4:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be on Monday, December 5, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Eldon with Msgr. Donald Lammers officiating. Interment will follow at Olean Cemetery in Olean. Memorials in memory of Wanda are suggested to the Eldon Animal Shelter.

Published December 3, 2011