Lois Arlene (Anderson) Benes, 88, of Whitewater (formerly of Middleton) passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at her home, with family by her side.
Lois was born April 15, 1935, to her loving parents, Harriett and Randolph Anderson of Whitewater, WI. Lois lived and played on the ‘home farm’ through all of her growing up years, where she was fiercely protected and mothered by her older sister Gwen (Vandiver). She also had two older brothers, Berwyn and Vinton, whom she would help on occasion with the farm chores! Lois graduated from Whitewater City High with the class of 1953 and soon after graduation, married the love of her life, James W. Benes. After their marriage, Jim soon enlisted in the Army and Lois, along with their first born (Diane) stayed in Whitewater with her parents. After Jim’s military service was complete, the family moved to Madison for Jim to attend the UW Madison.
Lois spent the next 4 years with her growing family of 3 at Truax apartments, where she said were some of the best years of her life. This is where she got involved and would meet with 10-12 other women to discuss the stock market. They called themselves ‘Profits Preferred’ and even after she moved from Madison to Middleton, she still remained active watching the Dow!
Lois was a very compassionate and humble human being, who graciously followed the good Lord’s path he put before her. From country girl to city girl, to mother of three, to mother of many, she always answered his call …
From 1964 through 1986, Lois fostered over 60 infants and children. She always said she wanted a bus full of children and they couldn’t have been blessed with a better driver!
Her passion to help these foster children who arrived, or those she picked up directly from the hospital, was evident. You could hear the love when she spoke of them, and you could see the love when her family recently found items she had saved throughout the years, like their homework, crayon drawings, and first haircuts. Lois also helped deliver Meals on Wheels for a time, and was always up for ‘wheeling away’ in their motorhome for an Elderhostel adventure! Lois and Jim traveled to many places with the Elderhostel Program, along with some unplanned back road adventures that her husband always seemed to take her on! She thoroughly enjoyed all of these adventures and could tell you by memory, all the towns, dates, history and mishaps they encountered on each one of them!
Lois and Jim also belonged to the Westport Squares square dancing club for over 40 years, where they traveled to every State Square Dance Convention, not missing one in those 40 years! Square dancing was her passion and she acquired many lifelong friends over the years through their club. Lois’s conversations will be deeply missed, whether it was about the weather, the love of her country, or hearing the love she had for whomever she was talking with.
When the last allemande left was called, her 3 children Diane (Paul) Shiveler, Gary (Sherrie) Benes and Kay Benes, knew she was already ‘gussied’ up and waiting for her partner ‘Jimmy’ (DOD; August 2, 2023) to take her home …
Besides her 3 children, she also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 3 great-granddaughters, 1 step great- granddaughter and two special foster daughters, Tamara and Julian.
She is also survived by two sister in laws, Marilynne (Jack) Albrecht and Sherri Benes (Kevin Coursey) along with many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Fairhaven Senior Services for their unending compassion and support, along with Rainbow Hospice.
The family has established an internship with KMLT in memory of their parents.
Memorials can be made to:
Kettle Moraine Land Trust
Memo: James W and Lois A Benes Internship
PO Box 176
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
