Norma Benzel

Norma “Jean” Benzel, 93, died surrounded by her family on August 10, 2022, at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. She was the fifth of ten children born to Luther and Loy Montgomery on October 26, 1928. Raised on a farm on Greasy Creek near Weleetka, OK, during the Great Depression, she worked along side her parents and siblings raising cotton, watermelons and okra among other crops. She would often regale her children with stories of her life on Greasy Creek. She moved to the Yakima Valley in the early 1950’s and worked as a waitress in Wapato to support her young family of 3 children. She met Victor E. Benzel while waitressing, and eventually married him. She bore 2 more children. Insisting on helping provide financial support for the family, she worked seasonally in the local vegetable and fruit processing plants. She was a long time member of the Hope Lutheran Church in Wapato, and was an active member of the Russell Barrett American Legion Auxiliary post in Wapato. She loved to read, crochet, bake and enjoyed visiting Legends Casino. Most of all, she loved her family dearly and was happiest when cooking family dinners. Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by husband Victor Benzel, daughter Georgia Holley, son David Keeth; siblings, Edward Montgomery, Edna Meyers, Allie Lucky, Ernest Montgomery, Betty Harris, Ruth Gibbs and James Montgomery. She is survived by daughter Teresa (Jack) James, son Victor Benzel, and son Gary (Tori) Benzel; and sisters, Jewel Bernard of Ft. Smith, AK, and Thola Owen of Spiro, OK; grandchildren, Roy Williams, Darla Spivey, Kerry Booth, Shannon Weinzirl, Dusty James, Griffin Benzel, Mark Blondin and Eric Blondin; nine great children, and five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. For those who wish to attend, Graveside will take place at Reservation Memorial Park in Wapato at 9:30am on Friday, August 19th, followed by a Memorial Service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (801 Tieton Dr), in Yakima at 11am. A light luncheon will be served after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Norma’s Honor. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Benzel, please visit our flower store.