Mrs. Betty L. (Brunner) Benishek, age 90, of Bradenton, FL and former longtime resident of Manitowoc, WI graduated into eternal life with Jesus in heaven on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital due to COVID. Throughout her life, Betty was known for her joy in helping others. She had strong faith & trusted God in everything.

Betty was born in Chicago, IL on Sept 2, 1931, daughter of Ruth Warner Shaw and Forrest Brunner, & lived in Libertyville & Gages Lake, IL before moving to Manitowoc where she married Al Benishek in June 1952. They had two children (Michael and Lori). Betty was a nurse for 14 years at the former Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc before transitioning as one of the first female pioneers in industrial safety & risk management positions (Safety & First Aid Technician at Aluminum Specialty; Safety Manager for Armira Leather Corporation in Sheboygan; Safety Director at Universal Foundry in Oshkosh; Safety & Loss Control representative for Commercial Union Insurance advising clients like Harley-Davidson, paper mills, slaughter houses, restaurants, bowling alleys, etc.); she established the Northeastern Wisconsin chapter of the American Foundry Society.  Betty concluded her professional career as Manager of Safety & Loss Control for Lee County government in the Fort Myers area of Florida, having earned recognition in Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who of Women, and was a featured speaker at a National Safety Council annual convention.

Betty was a people-person, sharing a smile to hosting large community events. She taught Creative Memories scrapbooking techniques, researched & documented family genealogy resulting in the distinction of being both a Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) as well as a member of The Mayflower Society. Betty & hubby Al were very active with their church families, both in weekly Bible study and service guilds; they even established a "puppet ministry" in several churches. In her spare time, Betty enjoyed music, reading, sewing, reupholstering furniture, arts & crafts, baking, decorating her home and planning parties.

Most dear in Betty's heart was love of family. She prayed daily that each family member would grow up (spiritually) with respect and love of the Lord Jesus Christ; it brought her great joy to model a godly lifestyle as her witness to her family. Betty actively celebrated family events, sharing her warm hospitality, excellent cooking & fun stories. While her kids were growing up, each summer she planned & led annual driving vacations with hubby Al so they would learn about American history, topology, and geography, while also visiting various relatives who lived across America. As a grandma, "Meemaw" assisted with childcare & preschool education for both of her grandsons (Alex and Cameron). Her home was filled with love.  She applied her nursing skills caring for Al over several years before he went to his heavenly home in 2011.

Survivors include: her son, Michael Benishek of Ellenton, FL; daughter, Lori Roberts of Bradenton, FL; two grandsons: Alexander Benishek of Mattoon, IL and Cameron Benishek of Ellenton, FL; former daughter in law, Linda Pappalardo of Lakeland, FL; and many other cousins, nieces & nephews, etc. within the Benishek, Kasten, Shaw & Brunner families.

We will remember Betty's warm smile, her gracious friendship, her endless energy, & love of God and family during a graveside service where burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc, WI on Friday, Feb 25 ^th , 2022 at 11am (CST) with the Rev. Scott Hirssig of Redeemer Lutheran Church officiating.  A service celebrating Betty's victory in Christ is planned for 1pm Eastern time on Sat., April 16, 2022 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Sarasota, FL (& simulcast online) with Senior Pastor Rusty Leavitt officiating.

Betty's family would like to thank: the Beautiful Savior Church family who continuously remembered Betty especially during these last years; the Aravilla Sarasota memory care team; Betty's faithful Monday Bible study sisters in Christ; SMH nurses in the COVID & progressive respiratory team; Tidewell in-hospital hospice services. In lieu of flowers, the Benishek family has suggested memorials be made to either your local Alzheimer's Association chapter –OR-- Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (7461 Prospect Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243), marked for Care Ministries, Service Guild &/or Card Ministry, in memory of Betty Benishek.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11 ^th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com .