Esther Ruby Kuehnast Bennig, age 104, of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin passed away on June 8, 2024, at Pine Haven Christian Home.
She was born at home near Thor, Iowa on December 21, 1919. After attending rural schools she graduated from Thor High School as valedictorian in 1938 and received several scholarships to business schools. In 1940 she married Otto R. Bennig, Sr. of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After retirement they built a cottage on South Turtle Lake, Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin where they enjoyed many years of fishing and entertaining grandchildren. They were married for 67 years until his death in 2007.
The Lutheran Church has always been an important part of Esther’s life. As a teenager she played the organ, sang in the church choir and taught Sunday School at the country Lutheran church near Humboldt, Iowa. Later as a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Town Wilson she sang in the choir and proudly taught Sunday School for 50 years. She is presently a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Kohler where she participated in the quilting group and many other church activities.
Esther enjoyed her flowers and gardens, reading, working puzzles and watching the Weather Channel. In later years her life was filled with memories of her childhood on the farm in Iowa where she grew up.
Survivors include one daughter, Patricia Alexander of Georgetown, Texas and two sons, Otto (Mary) Bennig, Jr. of Thompson Falls, Montana and John (Deborah) Bennig of Sheboygan; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM on Saturday, June 15 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kohler. The family will receive visitors at 1 PM in the Church Entry Hall.
She will be laid to rest beside Otto at Sunrise Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to thank her caregivers at Pine Haven Christian Home, Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and her PA.
Donations in Esther’s name can be made to AbleLight, which provides services for developmentally disabled people, 600 Hoffman Drive, Watertown, Wisconsin 53094.
The Wenig Funeral Home – Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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