Elfriede G. Bennett

After a week filled with visiting grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her favorite neighbors, Elfriede G. Bennett of Kingwood Township passed on May 19th, 2022, with her beloved daughter holding her hand. While her 89 years on this Earth may seem simple to some, Elfriede was a quiet but powerful woman. In the 1950’s, she took the courageous leap to immigrate to the United States to care for her Aunt Till. Landing in New York, she was introduced to a strapping young grocery clerk who would quickly steal her heart. Basil and Elfriede married and raised their two daughters (Joan and Barbara) for a short time in New York until settling down their permanent roots to be closer to Aunt Till in Kingwood Township (a little town that Elfriede would proudly call her home until the end of her life). While Basil’s numerous talents were clear to see upon first meeting him, Eflriede often surprised her family with her extensive knowledge of the world around her. An avid gardener, Elfriede loved working outside every day, whether it was planting, harvesting her vegetable garden, hedge trimming, or weeding. Here, she was able to appreciate the wildlife that surrounded her home, especially the birds that she was particularly fond of. Above all, Elfriede’s passion was to care for others, to support others, and to ease another’s burden. She was never happier than when she was sewing holes in socks, making lunch for visiting loved ones, or helping tidy up the homes of her growing children and grandchildren. It was this quality that transformed her from “Elfriede” to “Omi,” for every person she came across. Speaking to those who were blessed to know her, words like “kind”, “sweet”, “loveliest”, “caring”, “remarkable”, and “memorable”, will not be found in short supply. Her family knows that she will truly be missed by her incredible neighbors on Federal Twist that have long helped her as she grew older; the Kingwood Township Election Board where she volunteered for poll work every poll from 1964 until 2020; her surviving friends and family from Germany, and all those that were touched by her incredible life.

She leaves behind her adored daughter, Barbara Bennett; her son-in law; Richard Voorhees, her remaining siblings in Germany; as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Helena Hull, her husband Tom, and their children, Alexandra, Isabelle and Remson; Lorele-Paige Eldredge, her husband Jason, and their daughter Eowyn, Taylor-Morgan Garnett, her husband James, and their children James, Khloe, Mia, Erilyn, and Greyson, Chad Lindsay, his girlfriend Maddy, and their son Milo, Skylar-Bennett Pietraszewski. Each family member will spend the rest of their lives missing the holes left with her passing, especially during the holidays when her love of Christmas, family, and tradition will be most missed. They have solace in knowing that she joins the Kingdom of God where her siblings and parents await her (Johan and Greta, Herta, Renata, and Ernst Alvin); her daughter, Joan Bennett-Voorhees; and above all, her best-friend and most-missed companion, her loving husband, Basil M. Bennett. Aunt Till said it best of Omi: “My dear, you did everything for me, and you did it wonderfully. Thank you.” Thank you for all you have done for us, Omi. We love you.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to organizations Elfriede was passionate about: The National Audubon Society (https://www.audubon.org/how-to-help) or to the Association on American Indian Affairs (https://www.indian-affairs.org/).

A celebration of her life is scheduled for August 6, 2022. We urge any who would like to pay tribute to her and celebrate to reach out to Lorele-Paige at lorelepaige@gmail.com for information.

Condolences

From: Janet L Cronce Mowder
Dear Elfriede's children, grandchildren and great grand children,,,,,My heart felt condolences to you all. What a very special lady. All her nursing stories, her loving talks of all of you. The time she went out of her way to my me a log cake! I have a lot of special hair clients,, she will always stand out as one of the best! She is a blessing , we will have a lifetime. Sincerely Janet

From: Barbara Anne Kuhlman
Barbara and family...our sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Mom. May she rest in peace with her family in Heaven. Love from Barbara and Richie

From: Sara Voorhees-Pessel
so very sorry for the loss of your wonderful Omi. Sending heartfelt condolences.

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