Recent Deaths

Sister Casimira Benbenek
(Sister Mary Peregrine)
1942–2013

Sister Casimira Benbenek, 70, died Sept. 28, 2013, at Avanti Health & Rehabilitation Center in Minocqua, Wis., following a long battle with multiple health-related issues. She was born in Chicago on Nov. 23, 1942. She grew up on a farm near Hazelhurst, Wis., and attended Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua. She joined the Servants of Mary in 1960 and professed first vows in 1962.

Sister earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount Senario College, Ladysmith, and a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago. She is a graduate of St. Norbert’s Theological Institute, DePere, Wis., and she also studied at DePaul University, Chicago; the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minn.; and the University of Wisconsin–Superior.

She spent 33 years as an elementary school teacher in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. She ministered as a district instructor for the Archdiocese of Chicago, coordinator of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, director of religious education, and director of Teens Encounter Christ retreats. She served on the boards of the Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation and Teens Encounter Christ and as an officer of the Superior Diocesan Sisters Council. She was also a voucher volunteer and bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles J. and Veronica Benbenek. She is survived by her brothers Henry (Theresa) of Stone Park IL, MSG US Army Ret Charles P. (Diane) of Lake Tomahawk, Eugene (Laura) of Lake Tomahawk, and Joseph of Lake Tomahawk, and her Servite sisters. She was the loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.

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