Sister Casimira T Benbenek

Sister Casimira Benbenek, OSM (Order of Servants of Mary), 70, passed away Sept. 28, 2013, at Avanti Health & Rehabilitation Center in Minocqua, WI., following a long battle with multiple health-related issues. Casimira is survived by her brothers; Henry (Theresa) of Stone Park IL, Charles P. (Diane) of Lake Tomahawk, Eugene (Laura) of Lake Tomahawk, Joseph of Lake Tomahawk and her Servite sisters . She was the loving aunt of many nieces and nephews. Casimira was preceded in death by her parents Charles J. and Veronica Benbenek. Casimira was born in Chicago on Nov. 23, 1942 and grew up on a farm in Hazelhurst, WI. Casimira was a 1960 graduate of Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua. She joined the Servants of Mary Convent in Ladysmith, WI in 1960 and professed first vows in 1962. Casimira earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount Senario College, Ladysmith, and a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago. She is a graduate of St. Norbert’s Theological Institute, DePere, Wis., and she also studied at DePaul University, Chicago; the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.; and the University of Wisconsin–Superior. Casimira spent 33 years as an elementary school teacher in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. She ministered as a district instructor for the Archdiocese of Chicago, coordinator of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, director of religious education, and director of Teens Encounter Christ retreats. Casimira served on the boards of the Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation and Teens Encounter Christ and as an officer of the Superior Diocesan Sisters Council. Sister Casimira was a long time resident of Tomahawk, where she taught at St Mary's Catholic School from 1984 to 1997. After teaching for so many years she moved to Director of Religious Education until she retired in 2003. Sister Casimira was actively involved with volunteering. She especially enjoyed being a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. Casimira's quick smile and warm greetings will surely be missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday October 5, 2013 at 11:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tomahawk, WI. Visitation will be on Friday October 4, 2013 from 4-7 PM at the Bolger Funeral Home-Woodruff Chapel and again one hour before the mass on Saturday at the church. Burial will follow at 4:00 PM at the convent cemetery in Ladysmith, WI. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS ARE APPRECIATED TO THE SERVANTS OF MARY (1000 College Ave West, PO Box 389, Ladysmith, WI 54848).

Sister Casimira T Benbenek

November 23, 1942 - September 28, 2013