Clara M. Benkowski
August 1, 1917 – November 18, 2017
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church for Clara M. Benkowski, age 100, of Avon (living with her daughter, Bernice) and formerly of St. Cloud, who passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at St. Benedict’s Senior Community Short Stay South. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Hedwig’s Parish Cemetery in Holdingford.
Clara was born on August 1, 1917 to Dougal and Catherine (Warzecka) Stewart in Holdingford, Minnesota. She was united in marriage to Stephen Benkowski on September 28, 1937 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holdingford. They were married for 50 years. Together, they made their home in Holdingford before moving to St. Cloud. Working, side by side, they built their own home in St. Cloud. Clara enjoyed giving of her time and talents to both her children, as a stay at home mother and as a sample food demonstrator at Red Owl. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, the St. Anthony’s Christian Women, the funeral lunch committee and volunteered at the Whitney Senior Center.
Clara was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved spending time with her family and friends. Clara had many hobbies and interests including sewing clothes, arranging silk flower bouquets, baking coffee cakes, making Grandma Cookies, square dancing and dancing to Old-Time music, and playing Smear and 500 with her card party.
She is survived by her children, Bernice Koczur, of Avon, LaVerne (Joe) Reinert, of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Michele (Gerald) Hommerding, of Cold Spring, Patty (Utley) Kronenberg, of St. Cloud and Denise (Jim) Klaverkamp, of Clearwater; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stephen on February 20, 1988; great-grandson, Benjamin; siblings and their spouses; and son-in-law, Roman Koczur.
A special thank you to the staff of St. Benedict’s Senior Community and Short Stay South for their compassionate care of Clara.
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Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church for Clara M. Benkowski, age 100, of Avon (living with her daughter, Bernice) and formerly of St. Cloud, who passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at St. Benedict’s Senior Community Short Stay South. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Hedwig’s Parish Cemetery in Holdingford.