Brenton Rehabilitation Care Center, Grand Rapids. Marjorie was born July 5, 1928 in East Grand Rapids
to Carl and Elsie (Weidenfeller) Behnke.
She will be dearly missed by; her children, Marian Durkee, Kathy Othmer, Ken (Carole) Benson, Bruce
(Hope) Benson, Mike (Lou) Rice, Pam Shears, Dave (Patti) Benson, Judy (Mike) Rodriguez and Paul
(Jessica) Benson. Her g randchildren, Kevin (Amaya) Durkee, Jan (Joey) Jackson, Kyle (Heather) Durkee,
Dawn (Andy) Robotham, Rudy (Christin) Othmer, Gail (Bob) Lowry, Shelli (Curt) Sowles, Craig (Amy)
Benson, Sara (Aaron) Baylis, Carrie Wagner, Joh Rice, Ian (Avery) Shears, Bobby (Paige) Shears, Nicole
(Josh) Sparks, Andrew (Clara) Benson, Tim (Alyson) Rodriguez, Matt (Amanda) Rodriguez, and Courtney
(Nick) Manza, Chris (Brooke Portwood) Benson, Cayla (Cam) Simonton, Mya, Emma, Molly and Caleb
Benson, 37 Great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren. Brother in law and lifelong friend Martin Johnson. Many nieces and nephews along with grands and greats.
Marge was preceded in death by her first husband William L. Rice and second husband Loyal LeRoy Benson (both loves of her life), her parents, daughter Suzanne DeGier, granddaughter Cynthia DeGier-Sundstrom, siblings Robert Behnke and Marian Elaine Johnson.
The above are facts about Marge as a Daughter/Sister/Wife/Mom/Grandma/Great Grandma, but they
Do not tell you about her life.
Marge and her sister Elaine remained best friends throughout their lives. Living in the same town for
50 years. Bowling and playing cards were a couple of activities in which they shared and where she met Roy.
Marge was a loving mom. She and Roy taught the kids what life should be: Simple, Love each other, Respect each other, Never go to bed mad, let your kids be whoever they are but remind them of how they “should” be. Marge (mom) was usually right in the end. She has touched every single one of us in her own special way. She listened and lectured but most importantly loved.
She lived her faith and recommended forgiveness, to never use the word hate. She told more than one
child or grandchild that “Hate is a strong word. We can dislike something, but we should never hate”. She fought hate in the world with love and patience. She strongly disliked late night swimming in Lake Michigan. But that's a story for another time.
Her house was always clean and tidy. If you stopped by on a Saturday morning, you would have found her cleaning; the smell of chemicals floating with the classical music through the air. Her
house was not just a house; it was a home.
The Benson home was where you went for a hug, a kiss and a chat. Windmill cookies, gingersnaps and Lorna Doons were a favorite of the grandkids (and some grand-adults too). You went there when you needed to have a serious talk and/or needed some good advice. Marge’s memory was sharp, even with so many grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great-grandkids. She knew what you were up to and asked how you were doing. If you lived out of state (heck even if you lived twenty miles away) it was her home that was the first place you wanted to visit upon returning. We all felt at home there, loved, appreciated and safe.
Marge hosted card parties, birthdays, weddings and New Year’s Eve events. Her home was the Halloween starting and ending point for at least three generations of kids (hot cocoa served if the weather required it). There were the Family House painting parties that sometimes included disco dancing in the barn. She hosted sleepovers for the grandkids and of course the GIANT BENSON CHRISTMAS PARTY (which we really can’t explain, if you weren't there our words will never be enough, but EPIC is not too big a word). Through all these events, she made delicious meals (Prime rib and Italian casserole has been mentioned by many). Meals were sometimes served at the formal dining room table (teaching some of us table manners) and other times spread out over two rooms (the kitchen counter and the screened in porch). We will remember her for the loving way she cared for her family. Especially for the care of her husband Roy in his later years. Their love story was truly one of a kind and many of us use that example of how we should treat each other.
She was our cheerleader, our friend and our teacher (even sitting at school with some of us). Quite simply she was the heart of our family. We will miss you but every Cardinal we see; will remind us you are always with us.
Visitation will be held at St. Edwards Catholic Church from 5pm until 7:30pm with a Rosary held at
7:30pm on Thursday, February 18, 2021. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Friday, February 19,
2021 at St. Edwards. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Wyoming, MI.
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