Lillie Mae Benefiel

Lillie Mae Benefiel, 88, made her journey to heaven on June 2, 2025.
She was born November 10, 1936, in Monroe, Iowa, to Robert and Marie Bender.

The family lived in Swan, Iowa, and Lillie was joined by brothers Sonny, Jerry, Gary, Danny, Jimmy, David and Mark, as well as sisters Ruby, Norma and Junella.

Lillie graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1954 and began her career at Northwestern Bell in Des Moines. She found the love of her life and was married to Ronald G. Benefiel (known to all as Ronnie) on March 1, 1958. To this union, 3 children were born: Ronda, Ronnie Jr., and Laura. Lillie’s children were the lights of her life and she loved every minute of raising them.

In later years, after retirement, she and Ronnie enjoyed many wonderful times together with extensive travel in their motorhomes to visit family and friends, and to share new experiences.

Lillie is survived by her husband, Ronnie of Norwalk; daughter, Ronda (Tom) Lassaux of West Des Moines; son, Ronnie Jr. (Laura) of Madera, California; her grandchildren, Willie Callahan, Michael Benefiel, John Lassaux, and Anna Miller; and great-grandchildren, Alex, Elyse, Emma, Tiegan, Charlie, Harrison, Lennon, Evie and Eleanor.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Laura; her sister, Norma; brothers, Gary and Jimmy; and her grandson, J.R.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation on Thursday, June 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the memorial service on Friday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.

Donations may be made in Lillie’s name to Kavanagh House Hospice. The family thanks everyone there for the wonderful care Lillie received in her final days.

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