WILMA BENZEL - McALLEN - Wilma Benzel, 91, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend went to be with her Lord on Monday, January 12, 2009. She was born and lived in Nebraska for 76 years before moving to McAllen, TX. She married her loving husband of 61 years Sam in Nebraska. She was dedicated to her family, loving to cook, bake and knit. She was a marvelous seamstress and avid pinochle card player. She loved to spend time with her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandson. They always brought a smile to her face and a sparkle to her eye. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, two brothers and one nephew. She is survived by her husband Sam, two daughters, Lee Jirovec and son-in-law, David and Beverly Raimond and son-in-law, Jay. Five adored grandchildren Shane and Nichole Jirovec, Jineen Jirovec, Ryan Jirovec and Will Raimond; and one great-grandson, Dominic Jirovec. Sisters Elsie Mornik, Donna Lee Vellutato and brother Melvin Roth; and many nieces and nephews. Wilma was loved and will be deeply missed by her family. The family of Wilma Benzel would like to extend their deepest thanks to Dr.'s Mangala Ramamurthy, Guillermo Perez, Rafael Amaro, the staff of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and her home health care nurses Sandra Avila and Ana Santos. A special heartfelt thanks to Wilma's dedicated caregivers Mirna Medina and Mary Garza. A memorial service will be held at the Kreidler Memorial Chapel (Nolana and Taylor Road) at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2009, with burial following at the Rio Grande Valley Veterans Cemetery (South Inspiration Rd.). The Family would like to request that all memorial donations be made in her name to the American Heart Association. [Published by The Monitor on Jan. 14, 2009.]