Elma Morrill Benzien

Elma Benzien, 95, was born on August 28, 1918 and died in Ventura on January 21, 2014. Elma was the first of three daughters born to Frank Edgar Morrill and Irma Johnson Morrill on their ranch in Montalvo, California. The Morrill family also owned and operated the Morrill & Son Grocery and hotel. The three girls, Elma, Lorraine, and Geraldine, were the 4th generation of Morrills to live in Montalvo, and often reminisced, seldom fondly, about picking limas beans there during their youth. Elma attended Montalvo School, graduated from Ventura High on 1936, and attended Ventura Junior College when it shared grounds with Ventura High School. She married E. Dean Mercer and had two children with him, Jerrol Mercer and Dena Mercer. Later, Elma married Wally Benzien. They enjoyed over 40 years together before Wally's death in 2001. They loved traveling the U.S. with their Airstream trailer, rolling through and enjoying the sites in many states. The western states became their more popular direction to go, and they would often stay in Leavenworth, Washington to visit with Elma's sister, Geraldine.Trailer camping in Yosemite Valley, however, was their all-time favorite place to stay. It became a yearly trek and an extended Springtime home. Elma was an avid knitter and crocheter, making many beautiful items for friends and family. She also loved to bake cookies and candy during the Christmas holiday season and delighted when family would bring their special tin to fill to the brim with tasty sweets. After Wally died, Elma found another loving relationship with Jerry Young. They married in 2002 and enjoyed many walks on the pier, visiting their children and grandchildren, and ballroom dancing. Elma was preceded in death by her son, Jerrol Mercer, granddaughter, Melissa Mercer, stepdaughter, Ann Benzien, husbands Wally Benzien and Jerry Young, and sisters Lorraine Ellis and Geraldine Davy. She is survived by her daughter, Dena Morrill Mercer, granddaughter, Lori Morrill Mercer, step-son, Bob Benzien (Arline) step-son Chuck Young (Anna). Elma is also survived by many loving step-grandchildren whom she adored. Also surviving are her two nephews, Tom and Jim Ellis, their wives, Tina and Diane Ellis, and their children and grandchildren.The family thanks the personnel at Cypress Place, where Elma lived for several years. During the 2014 New Years Party, Elma was thrilled when one of the male caretakers asked her to dance. She commented, “I never thought I would dance again!”Elma had her last dance at age 95. Those wonderful people at Cypress Place always made sure that she had what she needed and were instrumental in assuring that Elma had a peaceful death. We also wish to thank Dr. Robert Warwar for the years of wonderful care that he gave to Elma. Elma always trusted his care of her and felt the compassion that he easily gives to patients. Elma requested that no service be held. In lieu of flowers, Elma's family requests that friends and family enjoy walks on the pier, views from the cross, sunsets over the islands; all these things Elma loved about Ventura, and, dance.