Lisbeth Gerda Bender, affectionately known as Betty, passed away on August 19, 2026, at the remarkable age of 103, with loving family by her side. She was born in Germany on May 20, 1923.

Betty leaves behind her daughter, Carla Beneke (Garnet); grandchildren, Stacie Stauffer (Chris), Katy Beneke, and Justin Beneke (Amanda); great-grandchildren, Maddy, Zach, Hank, Rowdy, Chloe and Jackson; as well as nieces and nephews in the United States and Germany.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, who passed away in 1998; her parents, Luise and Otto Rescheleit; her brothers, Herbert and Gunter.

Betty lived a long and extraordinary life shaped by resilience, independence, family, and a deep appreciation for the comforts of home. She survived World War II in the country of what was then East Prussia by the Baltic Sea where her parents had a large farm. Her family lost everything when they were forced to flee the advancing Russian army.  This experience became part of the remarkable story of a woman who would spend the rest of her life determined to stand on her own two feet.

In her early twenties, Betty left Germany and began a new life in Chicago. She married Ralph, and together they moved to La Crosse, drawn by their shared love of the outdoors.

For Betty, home was truly her haven. She had studied home economics in Germany and loved to cook, no one came to her house without being offered something to eat. She loved planting her garden and tending her plants.  Her summers were filled with camping and fishing in Canada with the family’s beloved yellow Labs, Sandy and Joy, by her side.  In retirement, Betty and Ralph spent winters in Florida.  She always returned home with lots of seashells collected from Gulf of Mexico beaches.

Betty remained fiercely independent throughout her life. Even in her final months, accepting help did not come easily. Her enduring “I can do it” attitude was simply part of who she was, and that determination will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

After 103 years, Betty leaves behind not only a family who loves her, but the story of a life that crossed countries, survived war and loss, built a new home from the ground up, and found joy in family, good food, the outdoors, faithful dogs, and a treasured collection of seashells gathered along the way.

A private funeral will be held at a later date.