Lois Ann Benishek

Lois Ann Benishek, 66, of Urbandale, Iowa passed away on August 15, 2017 in Des Moines, Iowa after a brief battle with ovarian cancer. A recitation of the rosary held at 1:30PM Sunday, August 20th at Caldwell Parish Funeral Home in Urbandale with a visitation to follow from 2 to 4 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 21st, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Emergency Food Pantry. Lois was born on May 16, 1951 in Topeka, Kansas to Francis B. and Muriel K. Lauer. She grew up in Kansas, Missouri and Colorado, graduating from Westport High School, Kansas City, Missouri in 1969. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in speech pathology from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado in 1973 and 1975, respectively. She began her professional career with Western Hills Area Education Agency 12 (now known as Northwestern AEA) in Sioux City but held positions with Iowa AEA’s in Council Bluffs, Johnston and Cedar Rapids. She was also a clinician at Litchfield Public Schools, Litchfield, Minnesota, University of Iowa Hospital School, Iowa City, Iowa and was the early childhood coordinator for Crow River Special Education Cooperative, Hutchinson, Minnesota. In addition, Lois was the community relations coordinator for the Ruan Greater Des Moines Grand Prix for three years beginning in 1990. Lois met the love of her life Lanny Benishek (aka Ben) on a blind date in Denison, Iowa in June 1980. The matchmaker (Ben’s co-worker) told him “If you don’t have anything better to do tonight, I got a couple gals lined up but I can’t promise you anything”. Little did he know they would fall in love, elope to Las Vegas, Nevada and get married on January 1, 1985. They were totally devoted to each other for over 30 years. She was a lifelong New York Yankees and Iowa Hawkeye fan; so much so that she sang the Iowa Fight Song during an interview when she thought the job seeker threw her some Golden Gopher shade. Lois had a passion for education and learning. It started at an early age when she realized the path for a better life for herself was through a college education (the first in her family) and continued throughout her life. Whether it was knitting, stained glass design or learning to play the violin at age 63, she made the most of her learning opportunities. She also had a passion for helping others make their lives better. Late night phone calls when someone needed a sympathetic ear, a loan if a person hit a rough patch financially or simple guidance on life’s lessons were her gifts to others. Untold relatives, friends and acquaintances have richer, fuller lives because Lois gave so generously of her time and talent over the years. Her passing leaves a void that will not soon be filled. Lois is survived by her husband Lanny, her siblings, Ronald (Melinda) Lauer of Greeley, Colorado, Marvin Lauer of Nebraska, Susan Lauer of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dwight (Brenda) Lauer of Parker, Colorado, Sharon (Paul) Markus of Loveland, Colorado, Lisa (Scott) Gaines of Windsor, Colorado, Michael (Shirley) Lauer of Canon City, Colorado, James (Monica) Lauer of Windsor, Colorado, and Brett (Molly) Lauer of Pleasantville, Iowa, 21 nieces and nephews, 17 great nieces and nephews, and her mother-in-law Joan Tarbox of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Jeffrey and her beloved dogs Jacqueline (Jack), Maxine (Max) and Augustina (Gus). Babe, you’re not saying goodbye...you’re saying see you later.