Obituary of Evelyn Benzel

Benzel, Evelyn (94) passed away peacefully January 4, 2010 in Ritzville. She was born to John A. and A. Margareta (Eckhardt) Wellsandt on March 15, 1915 in Ritzville, WA. She attended County School District #27 through 8th grade and graduated Ritzville High School in 1932. Evelyn married Fred H. Benzel on September 20, 1936 at her parent's country home. They moved to a home on W Main St., where she lived for 71 years. She worked for the Title Company (Kittle and Edwards), Ritzville Nursing Home and the Adam's County Treasurer's Office from January 1971 until retirement in May 1980. Evelyn was a member of the Zion Philadelphia UCC in Ritzville, Bank of Whitman Heritage Club, Retired Public Employees Council of Washington Chapter 44, Daughters of Zion and Ritzville High School Alumni Assn. Her special recognitions include Weight Watcher's Member of the Year 1964 and the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce Sweetheart in February 2003. She volunteered with the Ritzville Festivals Assn, served as a Brownie/ Girl Scout Leader and Sunday school teacher. She took great pride in helping at the H.E. Gritman Senior Center's pancake breakfasts, bake sales and other fund raisers. Evelyn's hobbies included making homemade caramels, divinity, baking the perfect cookies and pies, sewing, working in her flower garden, word puzzles, collecting recipes /cookbooks and traveling. She was known for her daily walk around downtown Ritzville which she did well into her 90's. Eating licorice, jellybeans, phone calls, sending cards, letters: remembering birthdays, anniversaries and get-wells were daily habits. At age 67, she finally learned to drive a car with son in law Gary Englund as her instructor. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Survivors include: daughters: Gwen Schaefer of Ritzville, and Jeanne Englund (Gary) of Newman Lake; brother: Kermit O. Wellsandt (Arlene) of Spokane; six grandchildren: Kurt Schaefer, Karin Meye, Kathy McCrady, Kevin Schaefer, Becky Kornell and Brooke Velazquez; seven great grandchildren with two on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters in law: Toni Benzel, Alli Benzel, Dorothy Eckhardt and Shirley Klein. Evelyn will be remembered for her sense of humor, practical jokes and love of shopping. Visitation will be Friday January 8, 2010 from 12 PM to 5 PM and Saturday January 9, 2010 from 9 AM to 12 PM at Danekas Funeral Home-Ritzville. A Celebration of Life will be held at Zion Philadelphia UCC in Ritzville on Saturday January 9, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Private Interment will be at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Zion Philadelphia UCC 301 E Broadway, Ritzville 99169. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org