Toni Benzel-Memorial

A memorial service for Toni Benzel, 95, Ritzville, will be Friday, April 1st 11 am, at the Zion Philadelphia Church. Toni will be buried next to her first husband, Arthur Benzel, at the Pines Cemetery in a private ceremony.

She died March 27th at Ritzville Life Care Center and peacefully went into the presence of the Lord.

Dell Antoinette (Toni) Krause was born February 15, 1916 in Spokane, Washington to Dora & E. R. [Bob] Krause.

In 1937Graduated From WSU with B.A. degree in History; minor in Spanish. She spent two years as a secretary at the Civil Conservation Corp which she referred to as the C.C.C. Headquarters. Then in 1939, she returned to WSU to get a B.A. in teaching. Toni worked for American Presidential Steamship Lines in Manila. Toni taught 8th grade math, H.S. General Science and history at Bordner H.S. in Manila for one year. Toni was on the last troop ship to leave the Philippines before the Japanese invasion.

In 1941Toni went to work at Spokane Eastern Branch of Seattle First National Bank and became manager of the Spokane Eastern Company, an insurance agency for 5 years. It was while Toni was working at the Spokane Eastern Bank that she had a blind date with Art Benzel from Ritzville. They were married Nov. 10, 1946, and they lived on a wheat/cattle ranch at Ralston. Toni, who was an only child, married into the Benzel family of 10 children! She considered herself so abundantly blessed by this large loving family.

Toni was one of 10 women who met in the spring of 1950 to organize The Adams County Branch of AAUW. This was the start of 60 yrs of involvement in AAUW. She was instrumental in establishing a kindergarten in the Ritzville school system. While chairman of the PTA, she proposed the idea that PTA and AAUW sponsor the first preschool. She was the first woman to run for the Ritzville School Board and served for 9 years and was chairman in 1967.

Gov. Dan Evan appointed her as the first woman to serve on the State Beef Commission. She held this appointment for 6 years. He also appointed her to the Rural Affairs Task Force.

She was the 1977 Beta Sigma Phi Lady of the Year.

In 1979 Art retired and they moved from the Ranch into Ritzville. Toni was the happiest when her bags were packed ready to go on a cruise or trip with Art and their friends. Art died in 1992. In 1997 Toni, age 84, married her brother-in-law, Mel Benzel. Toni was married only 16 short, but wonderful months when Mel died in December '98.

In her eighties she was appointed as Ag Ambassador to Italy with People to People Ambassador Exchange. Accompanied by her daughter Sue, they toured dairies, beef ranches, and vineyards.

She was honored for 50 years as charter member of AAUW. Also she was honored as Washington State Cattlewoman of the Year having been active in the Adams County Cowbelles/Cattlewomen since 1955.

In 2008, Toni left her family home in Ritzville and moved into Rose Garden Estates. May, 2010 she moved to Life Care Center.

Survivors include three daughters, Anita (Bob) Walli, Ritzville; Bonnie (Dan) Dixon, Greenleaf, Idaho; and Sue (Bob) Westergard, Walla Walla, eight grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. She dearly loved the Benzel family into which she married twice! Surviving her are: Allie Benzel, Dorothy & Bill Eckhardt, Roy & Shirley Klein all of Ritzville; and Bettie Jo Benzel, Colorado Springs, plus nieces and nephews too numerous to name! Preceding her in death were both husbands; Art and Mel Benzel and step-son Monte Benzel.

The family suggests memorials go to the East Adams Rural Hospital, 903 S. Adams or Hometown Family Medicine, PO. Box 438, Ritzville, Adams County Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 311, Ritzville.

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