LuAnn Cleary-Benninghaus, 76, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in her home on November 25, 2022.
LuAnn was born to Earl and Leda Cleary of Olga North Dakota in 1946 and grew up on her family’s farm with her six siblings. She attended high school in Crookston, MN and college at Mayville State University in North Dakota. She later went on to obtain her master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. LuAnn was a lifelong educator in Sheboygan teaching business at North and South High Schools as well as Farnsworth, Horace Mann and Urban Middle Schools. In 1984 she moved to Greely Colorado and taught at the University of Northern Colorado’s Laboratory School for two years and returned to Sheboygan in 1986 to marry William (Bill) Benninghaus and resume her teaching career in the Sheboygan Area School District.
LuAnn had a never-ending thirst for adventure, new experiences, learning and volunteerism. During summers off from school she and her family would regularly spend time with her siblings in her home state of North Dakota or on trips to amazing places. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and participated in many activities with her Celtic Women friends and was an active member in the American Association of University Women. LuAnn didn’t slow down in retirement from teaching. She worked part time for the Congregation Beth El Jewish Synagogue in Sheboygan and volunteered at Immaculate Conception Parish with various festivals, calling bingo and organizing the member directory. In addition, she was active with the Sheboygan Area Historical Society, where she and Bill spent many hours volunteering together; the Red Hat Society; playing Mah-Jongg with two groups; and experiencing new restaurants in the Sheboygan area with family and friends.
LuAnn is survived by her husband Bill Benninghaus of Sheboygan; her son and daughter-in-law Matthew and Amy Cleary; granddaughters Megan Cleary and Taryn Cleary; siblings and their spouses Tom and Jean Cleary, Karen and Greg Bimler, Tim and Marsha Cleary, Colleen Milek, Terry and Karen Cleary and Cyndy Costanza; and, of course her beloved friends in the Sheboygan area.
LuAnn is preceded in death by her parents Earl and Leda and brothers-in-law James Milek, Charles Costanza, Ralph Benninghaus, Tom Benninghaus, Duanne Benninghaus, Carl Benninghaus and Richard Bennighaus.
A funeral mass will be held for LuAnn on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm at the Immaculate Conception Parish located at 1305 Humboldt Avenue in Sheboygan, WI and will be officiated by Father Subi Thomas. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 10:00 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Immaculate Conception Parish or the Sheboygan County Historical Society and Museum, an organization that LuAnn and Bill felt strongly about.
The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
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