Mary Benedict

Mary Valeria (nee Knotek) Benedict, age 100, went peacefully to her heavenly reward on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Mary was born on April 23, 1914, in Racine, WI the daughter of the late Anna (nee:Mostek) and Frank Knotek.

On June 28, 1936 at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Albert Benedict. He preceded her in death on April 5, 1968. Mary was a member of St. John Nepomuk and St. Rita Catholic Church. As a young adult Mary was an active member of the Catholic Sokol gymnastic dance and calisthenics organization. She participated in the gymnastics competition in Texas in 1936. She was an active member in the Christians Mothers Organization at St. Rita parish. Mary was a homemaker for many years raising her six children with loving care. Later she was employed as a seamstress at Racine Dry Goods. Mary loved sewing and crafting. She often made her children’s clothes. For many years she taught ceramics classes in her business called Ceramic Arts and also made silk flowers and helped in her son’s store, Craft Villa. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by two sons, Albert (Donna) Benedict, of Whitewater, WI, Ronald (Sherri) Benedict, of San Bernadino, CA, four daughters, Elizabeth Boode, of Beaver Dam, WI, Nancy Spencer, of Racine, WI, Jacqueline (Frank) Porcaro, of Racine, WI, and Mary Hesthaven-Kloski, of Racine, WI. She is survived by her grandchildren Kathy Konicek, Steve (Tammi) Konicek, Sue (Dave) Westover, Nancy Miller, Victoria Wilson, Albert (Beth) Benedict, Michelle (Joel) Baugrud, Melissa (Gabriel) Friendlander, Frank (Michelle) Porcaro, Rebecca Porcaro and Greg Peterson, Greg (Sharon) Porcaro , Lindsay Benedict, Sasha Hefler; 18 great grandchildren; a sister, Lillian Nosek of Dallas, Oregon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In additions to her husband, Mary, was preceded in death by her sister Agnes Cerny, brother Joseph Knotek, sons-in-law Robert Kloski, Phillip Spencer and Allen Boode.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave, Thursday, December 18, 2014, 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Kevin Mullins OSA officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Thursday from 9:15 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:00 a.m.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at the Elizabeth Residence in Oak Creek for all of their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME

803 MAIN ST. RACINE, WI 53403

(262) 634-7888

Please send condolences to

www.meredithfuneralhome.com