Abigail Benkeser

Abigail ("Abbie") Marie Benkeser passed away, surrounded her family, at St. Anthony's Healthcare Center on April 25, 2016.
Abbie was born to loving parents Katherine Keough Stone, an elementary school teacher, and Edward Francis Stone, a municipal employee, on February 17, 1921 in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Abbie was Baptized and Confirmed at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Holyoke, taking the middle name Marie at her Confirmation. Abbie's three siblings, infant Edward Stone, Katherine ("Kay") Stone Crain and Richard ("Dick") Stone preceded her in death.
Abbie obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Massachusetts State College (now University of Massachusetts - Amherst), and obtained a master's degree in mathematical statistics from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. While at Ames, she was introduced to her future, and surviving, husband Dr. Robert ("Bob") Anthony Benkeser. Abbie and Bob were married on October 19, 1946 at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Abbie and Bob moved to West Lafayette, IN in 1946 when Bob joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University.
Abbie and Bob had five children: eldest Carol Anne Benkeser Luebke and husband Richard Luebke of Sunriver, OR; Robert Gerard Benkeser and wife Carol of Westlake Village, CA; Paul Joseph Benkeser and wife Peggy of Atlanta, GA; Donald Edward Benkeser and wife Chris of Bowie, MD; and Kenneth James Benkeser and wife Christina of Lake Wylie, SC. Abbie was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Abbie devoted her life to Christian spiritual pursuits with family, friends and the many individuals she ministered to every day. She volunteered daily at St. Anthony's Healthcare facility for almost 30 years, was a founding member of the Blessed Sacrament Church of West Lafayette, IN and worked in support of the Lafayette Catholic School system. A legacy of immigrant heritage and strong faith, Abbie had a passion for social justice, education, women's rights, church reform and theological study. Abbie especially enjoyed spending time with her spiritual son and advisor Father Samuel Kalu.
A visitation will be held on Sunday May 1 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette, IN. A funeral mass will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in West Lafayette, IN on Monday May 2 at 11:00 AM, Fr. Samuel Kalu officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Mary's Cemetery in Lafayette, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lafayette Urban Ministry (www.lumserve.org). Memories may be posted online at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com