Obituary of Jill E Benke

Jill E. (Bentzien) Benke passed away at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington on Sunday, December 19, 2021.  Jill was 76 years old. Jill was the beloved mom of Samuel Benke of St Paul Minnesota.  She was the loving sister of Dean Bentzien of Wisconsin and the late Rick Bentzien. Jill is also survived by cousins Sally Danke, Vicki Bentzien and Don Bentzien.

Jill was born in Superior Wisconsin.  She was the daughter of the late Richard and Linnea Bentzien.  Jill was raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin.  Following her marriage to Peter Benke, they moved to Massachusetts where they raised their son Sam. Having lived in Newton, Prides Crossing and Beverly, Jill eventually settled in the beautiful and picturesque community of Manchester by the Sea.

In her earlier years, Jill wrote advertising copy for several Midwest / East coast firms and enjoyed a brief stint in local residential real estate.  Like her father Richard, Jill loved horses.  She rode on an equestrian level and volunteered at Windrush Farm, an equine therapy facility for children and adults.  Jill’s other passions were nature walks, reading and gardening, cherishing her time working in local flower gardens. Jill’s primary and most treasured role was that of mother and homemaker. Jill enjoyed taking short trips with Sam and fondly remembered their family ski trips to their ski house in Franconia, NH.  Jill will be remembered for her outgoing personality, quick wit, and humor.  She leaves a circle of family and friends who will miss her dearly.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jill’s name may be made to: Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation Inc, 479 Lacy St. Andover MA 01845