Juliana M. Benfit

Juliana M. Benfit, 94, of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father J. Joseph Holzhauser, Celebrant.

Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign her online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 4-5 p.m., Sunday, at the mortuary with a Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 5:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at church on Monday.

Juliana M. Werts was born on April 5, 1920, in Wetonka, SD, to Frank and Anna (Artz) Werts. Juliana attended Mina High School in Mina, SD, and graduated as Valedictorian of her class.

Juliana was united in marriage to Clarence C. Benfit in Aberdeen, SD, on October 27, 1941. In 1952, the couple made their home on a farm northwest of Aberdeen, where they farmed for many years. In 1972, they retired from farming and moved to Aberdeen. Juliana and Clarence raised two daughters and shared almost 48 years of marriage before Clarence passed away on June 29, 1989. Juliana continued to make Aberdeen her home until the time of her death.

In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing clothes for Barbie and Ken dolls.

Blessed to have shared Juliana's life are her daughters: Colleen (Kenneth) Erickson and Donna (Arnold) Ottenbacher of Aberdeen; five grandchildren: Amy Schauer, Stephanie Ottenbacher, Travis (Carissa) Ottenbacher, Kory (Melanie) Erickson and Heidi (Ben) Johnson; and five great-grandchildren: Phoebe, John, and Eleanor Ottenbacher and Jenna and Nathan Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers and two sisters.