BENSING, Jeannette (“Jan” / “Jen”) of Gurnee IL, formerly New Brighton MN passed away Jan 21, 2024. Born May 28, 1932 on the Potter family farm in Galien MI, Jen graduated from Galien H.S. in 1950 as co-Valedictorian; she then earned a two-year laboratory technology certificate from Nazareth College, which she used to secure a job in South Bend IN. In her free time there, Jen played tennis and met her husband Jerry, who was playing on an adjacent court. In addition to playing tennis throughout her adult life (which she did several times a week until COVID closed park district courts), she also adored a good game of bridge – setting up several card tables after dinner across the dining room and living room. Jen loved to tend her many houseplants and gardens; enjoy and share her home on Long Lake (she housed several international U of MN grad students after her kids were about to or had flown the nest), hike, canoe, and birdwatch. Jen was a volunteer with CFM (Christian Family Movement); New Brighton’s Lions Club, Stockyard Days, and Historical Society; LWV (League of Women Voters); the Board of Directors for Benedictine Health (Duluth MN); her Windward Terrace neighborhood’s association (esp. in organizing its annual picnic); various ministries at St. John’s – the pastoral care ministry’s ‘Befrienders’ program, fundraisers (i.e. Booya and spaghetti dinners), and was a Eucharistic Minister; and many more community projects not mentioned here.
Jen loved to create various types of needlework; read books, the morning newspapers, and National Geographic; watch BBC and PBS murder mysteries on TV (when she wasn’t watching professional soccer, a tennis tournament, or the Minnesota Lynx); and listen to the old-time radio show ‘The Shadow’ (can you recite the opening line and insert the evil laugh???), classical music, jazz, 40’s and 50’s Vocal Standards, and ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ on the radio. Jen attended the Minnesota State Fair on multiple days; almost always earned the unofficial honorary beer for being first-to-be-greeted by a friend or neighbor; was sure to make time to visit equestrian events, marvel at entries in the Creative Arts building (where she almost always won a blue ribbon for her own entries), and view displays of African violets and seed art in the horticulture building (it was always a debate between honey ice cream in the HB or soft serve from the Dairy building). Her favorite illustrators were Tomie dePaola, Tasha Tudor, Normal Rockwell, and Beatrix Potter. Jen was quick to spot grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors in print; enjoyed completing Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles; and learned German to work on family genealogy here and abroad. She loved to travel, esp. to the states of Hawaii, Missouri, Maine and Arizona; our National and state parks (esp. Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors); Europe; and Elderhostel programs. Jen enjoyed live musical and theatrical performances and was delighted to be asked out to eat – esp. if it was brunch, practically any ethnic cuisine, seafood, a Waffle house, or Midwest goodness. In the tradition of her birth family, Jen was a talented baker/cook and a gracious hostess. She played the piano (she taught whomever of the next generations wanted to learn), recorder and oboe, and rang English handbells in parish and community ensembles (inspiring two generations to follow in her footsteps there, too). She loved her family, friends and neighbors with all her generous heart. We thank Sunrise of Gurnee’s staff and volunteers for their kindness, guidance and patience in Jen’s adjustment to an assisted living situation.
Jen was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years Gerald “Jerry”, parents Foster and Frances, sister Patricia, brother John, and daughter Mary. Jen is survived by her sister Dorothy (LeRoy); children Diane (Mike), Michael (Suzanne), Barbara (Andrew), James (Kristen), Tom (Nicole); grandchildren Mary (Alex), Beth (Ben), Patrick (Pamela), Nikole, Sarah, Foster, Joe, Paige and Sawyer; great-granddaughters Lauren, Hannah and Katherine; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials preferred to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the New Brighton Historical Society, or St. John’s pastoral care ministry. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am on Saturday June 22, 2024 with visitation starting 1 hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 835 2nd Ave NW, New Brighton. Please wear your favorite bright-colored clothes to her service (not black); this is a celebration of a full, beautiful life. At the very least, pick up your tennis racquet (you never know who you’ll meet) or learn how to play bridge (Jen always complained there are never enough bridge players). Or exchange perennials with your friends: as you tend them (the flowers and the friends), think of Jen. Private interment at Holy Apostles in New Berlin WI, next to Jerry.
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