Full Obituary

BETTY M. BENZSCHAWEL, age 80, of Thorp, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Al Jakubowski will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Dean (Gus) Abramczak, Brian Abramczak, Dan Abramczak, James Abramczak, Jeff Abramczak, Charles Abramczak, Jeremy Vetterkind, Jake Abramczak, Clint Abramczak and Jordan Abramczak. Visitation will be held at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church on Monday, September 9, 2013 from 4pm to 8pm, with a 6:50pm Legion Auxiliary service and a 7pm rosary service. Visitation will also be held at the church, on Tuesday, from 10am until time of service.
Betty Mae Thompson was born on December 22, 1932 in the Town of Thorp, the daughter of Lawrence and Thelma Irene (Nerdrum) Thompson. She was raised on the family farm and received her education at area schools, graduating from Stanley High School in 1950. Betty was united in marriage to Chester Abramczak on November 4, 1950 at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. In addition to farming with her husband, Betty was the head cook at Thorp Catholic School for many years. Her husband, Chester, passed away on September 23, 1979. She was later united in marriage to Alvin Benzschawel on December 30, 1989 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp.
In her spare time, Betty loved spending time with her grandchildren and family, traveling to Alaska, taking cruises, bowling and loved going to Country Fest, listening to country music, and loved the Chicken Dance.
She was a member of St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church and its PCCW, Thorp American Legion Auxiliary, Rock Dam Rod and Gun Club, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Betty is survived by her husband: Alvin Benzschawel of Thorp; 10 children: Dean (Shirley) Abramczak of Iowa, Don (Darlene) Abramczak of Thorp, Richard (Janet) Abramczak of Stanley, Marilyn (Lenny) Vetterkind of Thorp, William (Beverly) Abramczak of Thorp, John (Char) Abramczak of Thorp, Gary Abramczak of Chippewa Falls, Michael (Carmen) Abramczak of Thorp, Steven (Melissa) Abramczak of Thorp, Dennis (Carmen) Abramczak of Thorp; 32 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; one brother: Larry (Marlene) Thompson of Stanley; one sister: Jean Ketterhagen of Thorp; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chester Abramczak; 3 sons: Jeffrey Abramczak on May 29, 1964, Robert Abramczak on July 17, 1989, and David Abramczak on February 1, 1999.