Benita Lora Esther Yentsch, 95, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, died Friday morning, Nov. 11, 2016, at Medford Senior Care in Medford, Minnesota. She was born on Nov. 9, 1921, in Aurora Township, Steele County, Minnesota, the daughter of Herbert and Amanda (Kieselbach) Kruckeberg. She attended school at District 27 and St. John’s Lutheran Parochial School in Havana Township. She was united in marriage to Wayne Howard Yentsch on Jan. 28, 1944, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Havana Township. They celebrated 70 years together. Soon after their marriage, they purchased a farm in Ripley Township, Dodge County, Minnesota, where they raised their family and farmed for 56 years. In 2000, they moved into Blooming Prairie. She was a devoted stay-at-home mom who also enjoyed being a partner with her husband on the farm. She was an accomplished cook and baker. Her life’s meaning revolved around her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother brought Benita happiness throughout her life. She was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and later First Lutheran Church.

Survivors include seven children, Sandra (Ronald) Musolf of Kasson, Minnesota, Sonja Radel of Owatonna, Minnesota, Susanne Benson of Hastings, Minnesota, Spencer Yentsch of Spearfish, South Dakota, Steven (Jill) Yentsch and Scott (Sue) Yentsch, all of Owatonna, and Stuart (Brenda) Yentsch of Blooming Prairie; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and another one due in 2017; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne H. Yentsch, in 2014; son-in-law, Kenneth Radel; two sisters, Harriet Grunklee and Marcile Johnson; and two brothers, Alvin and Richard Kruckeberg.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Rev. Charlie Leonard and Rev. Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Inurnment will follow the service in the Blooming Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Worlein – Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com. Memorials can be directed to First Lutheran Church, Homestead Hospice House or recipient of donor’s choice.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Medford Senior Care for all the compassion and care Benita received during her two year stay. They also wish to thank Homestead Hospice for their comforting care at various times during the past three years.

Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.