Ruby Benting

Ruby Benting, age 97, of Milbank, SD, passed away on December 16, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 21, at 11:00 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD.  Pastor Timothy Koch will officiate and interment will be in the Milbank City Cemetery.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Monday.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to gather for visitations and services. The use of face masks by attendees is recommended, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Ruby Marie (Buck) Benting was born on September 4, 1923, to Wesley and Marie (Frerichs) Buck in rural Wilmot, SD. She grew up on a farm near Wilmot, SD, and attended Geneseo #1 Country School. Ruby graduated from Wilmot High School with the Class of 1941. After high school, she attended he Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen, SD, and earned her Teacher’s Certificate in 1942. Ruby taught in various country schools around the Wilmot and Corona areas. She taught all eight grades and covered all the subjects.

On June 20, 1943, Ruby was united in marriage with Milton Henry Benting at Christ Lutheran Church when it was the country church located just north of Corona. The couple made their home on a farm in Grant County, SD, then moved to a farm in Roberts County, SD. Together, Ruby and Milton had three children: Gayle, Gary, and Susan.

Ruby helped Milton with the bookkeeping for the Corona School as well as helping him with farm chores and field work. She was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church Ladies’ Aide. Ruby taught Sunday School as well as Vacation Bible School. She was a member of the Corona Band Mothers and had numerous hobbies. Ruby loved all the traveling she and Milton got to do. She enjoyed her flower gardens and always had a large garden complete with a huge strawberry patch. Some of Ruby’s other hobbies included embroidery, crochet, and playing cards.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Gayle Wanous, Gary (Laurie) Benting, and Susan Pew (friend, Bob Lewis); six grandchildren: Julie Keuhn, Kristi (Mike) Tchida, Doug (Gwen) Benting, Bryan (Seana) Benting, Chad (Jackie) Pew, and Aaron (Megan) Pew; ten great-grandchildren: Alex (Jen) Suurmeyer, Todd Suurmeyer, Mackenzie Tchida, Kayden Tchida, Izzy Werner, Tate Pew, Levi Pew, Blake Peterson, Kaylee Pew, and Jaden Pew; one great-great-grandchild, Josephine Suurmeyer; and two sisters: Esther Wiese of Milbank, SD; and Caroll Schoon of Ft. Dodge, IA.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Milton in 2006; grandson, Shane Pew; great-grandson, Eric Suurmeyer; daughter-in-law, Laurel Benting; sons-in-law: Jeff Pew and Larry Wanous;and brothers: Delton and Loren Buck.

To send an online condolence, visit www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.

To send a sympathy card, please mail to: Mundwiler Funeral Home, Family of Ruby Benting, PO Box 511, Milbank, SD 57252. Cards will be forwarded to the Benting family.