Barbara J. Benter, age 73, of Whitelaw passed away, Saturday afternoon, January 16, 2021 at her residence after a courageous battle with cancer.
Barbara was born on February 12, 1947 in Manitowoc, daughter of the late Raymond and Regina (Novak) Svacina. She graduated from Reedsville High School with the class of 1965. On August 19, 1967 Barbara was married to Duane W. Benter at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Reedsville. Barbara worked at Whitelaw Co-op from 1965 to 1966, then at Muchin & Muchin Law Firm from 1966 to 1968, and from 1977 to 2014 at Country Visions Co-op, 37 years as a Credit Manager. She was a past member and officer of the Reedsville Lions Club, past member and parish council, workshop committee and usher at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Barbara was a member of St. Francis of Assis Parish. She was an avid Packer, Bucks, Badgers, and Brewers fan. Enjoyed scrapbooking, reading, and going to her grandchildren’s school and sports events.
Survivors include her husband: Duane Benter, Whitelaw; her children and spouses: Kevin (Tammy) Benter, TX, Kim (Michael) Gross, Milwaukee; two grandchildren: Madelyn and Cassandra Gross; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Jim (Mary) Svacina, Jack (Vicki) Svacina; four brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Adeline Svacina, Delvin (Linda) Benter, Dan (Mary) Benter, Delaine (Chuck) Reis, Dennis Schuh; one aunt: Betty Jane (Frank) Badzinski, Milwaukee, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents: Raymond and Regina Svacina; mother-in-law: Luellis Benter-Meyer; three brothers and sister-in-law: Kenneth Svacina, Donald (Araceli) Svacina, Paul Svacina; one brother-in-law: Dale (Lynn) Benter; one sister-in-law: Debra Schuh.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. Rev. Ben Johnson will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Thursday from 10:30 AM until the time of Mass at 12:30 PM. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to keep everyone safe, the family requests that everyone please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Friends and relatives may join a live stream on the Lakeshore Family Funeral Home Facebook page beginning at 12:15 PM. In Lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Roncalli High School. The Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Manitowoc assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
The family would like to thank the Aurora BayCare Critical Care Team, Dr. Gerald Eckardt and Aurora At-Home Hospice for all the loving compassionate care given to Mom.
