Fifth Generation

54. Lyla Mae "Lila" BERNHARDT was born on 23 August 1923 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^27,38,44 (Her name is listed as "Lyla Mae" in the Monroe County Birth Registration Index and in the church baptism records.) She was baptized on 7 September 1923 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁴ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.² Lila graduated in 1940 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. from Tomah High School. She lived at her home in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI in April 2002.¹² She died on 10 February 2016 at the age of 92 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷⁶

Obituary Notes: "Lyla Mae Benjamin, 92, of Tomah passed away Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at Mayo Health Systems Sparta. She was born Aug. 25, 1923, to Edward and Erma (Martin) Bernhardt in Wilton. She was a member of the Tomah Senior High School Graduating Class of 1940.

She was united to James Earl Church on Dec. 1, 1945. He preceded her in death. On Dec. 29, 1963, Lyla was united in marriage to William D. Benjamin. He preceded her in death on June 25, 2014. After high school Lyla moved to Madison, and attended Beautician School. She then worked as a beautician in Chicago, and later at Camp McCoy. She was a waitress for the Tee Pee Supper Club and the Carlton Restaurant. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Department of Veterans Affairs – Tomah, until her retirement in 1985. She worked for La Crosse Nursing after her retirement. Lyla had an active AVON business for many years. Lyla and Bill enjoyed to travel across the U.S., and took trips to California, Boston, Florida, Reno, Branson, and South Dakota, to name a few. She was a faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church and served on the St. Paul Missions and Ladies Aid. She had a generous heart and volunteered for TOPS, the ABC Store, in the gift shop at the Tomah Memorial Hospital, and at Harmony Manor.

In her younger years she enjoyed dancing, and in her later years she enjoyed playing euchre and taking nightly walks with her friends or family. Lyla’s greatest love was her family and family gatherings. At the beginning of each month Lyla would plan birthday and anniversary cards for her family and friends including, a $2 bill or a special note or verse, she treated it as her personal ministry. She was an excellent cook and baker, and will always be remembered for her pumpkin pies. Whoever would stop by to visit Lyla, a person or pets, she would have to serve them something to eat. Lyla was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, who had a generous and kind personality; she was always willing to help anyone in need. She had a steadfast faith in her Lord and Savior and will be remembered as a candle in the darkness.

She is survived by four daughters, Margaret Ann (Peggy) Benjamin of Madison, Sherry Tolle (Gary) of Warrens, Ruth Blow of Tomah, Connie Steele (Kim) of Roseville, Calif.; three sons, David Benjamin (Junko) of Madison, William R. Benjamin (Little Bill) and Tom Church (Vicki) all of Tomah. She is further survived by 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister-in-law, Alta Bernhardt of Tomah; nieces, nephews; other relatives; and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is further preceded in death by her husband, Bill; a sister, Joyce Howie; two brothers, Donald and Howard Bernhardt. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor William R. King will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.

.

Lyla Mae "Lila" BERNHARDT and William Dean "Big Bill" BENJAMIN were married on 29 December 1963 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^12,38 William Dean "Big Bill" BENJAMIN, son of Archie BENJAMIN and Ann UNKNOWN (BENJAMIN), was born on 28 August 1926 in Monroe County, WI.²⁷ He died on 25 June 2014 at the age of 87 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷⁷

Obituary Notes: "William D. Benjamin, a lifelong resident of Tomah, died Wednesday morning, June 25, 2014, at his home surrounded by family, after a brief illness. He was 87 years old.

“Big Bill,” as he was known in his family, graduated from Tomah High School in 1944 as class president. He worked as a painting contractor for many years but attained perhaps a greater notoriety throughout the many years as the long-time bartender and bar manager at Carlton and TeePee Supper Clubs.

William D. Benjamin was born in Tomah Aug. 28, 1926 to the late Ann and Archie Benjamin. His first marriage, to Lorraine Schaller in 1947, ended in divorce. He married Lyla Berhnardt Dec. 28, 1963, who survives him. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.

He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher for many years. Mr. Benjamin stayed active in retirement as a proud member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Reserve beginning in 1983, at the age of 57. In his younger years, “Big Bill” was active in Tomah bowling leagues and was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. In his later years, he devoted his time to sharing and caring for his loving wife, Lyla.

He is survived by Lyla; his four daughters, Margaret Ann (Peggy) Benjamin of Madison, Sherry Tolle (Gary) of Warrens, Ruth Blow (Jimmy) of Tomah, and Connie Steele (Kim) of Roseville, Calif.; three sons, David Benjamin (Junko) of Madison, William R. Benjamin (Little Bill) and Tom Church (Vicki), all of Tomah. He is further survived by 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Archie Benjamin; his parents-in-law, Edward and Erma Bernhardt; and many Bernhardt siblings, including Donald, Howard and Joyce (Edmiston-Howie).

A funeral service will be 11 a.m. today at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor David T. Brandt will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery."

.

Lyla Mae "Lila" BERNHARDT and James Earl "Jim" CHURCH were married on 1 December 1945 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁸ James Earl "Jim" CHURCH died on 29 December 1963.

Lyla Mae "Lila" BERNHARDT and James Earl "Jim" CHURCH had the following children: