Patricia Benson

Former Port Washington resident Patricia A. Benson was someone people gravitated to, her family said.

“She was a people person,” her daughter Maryanne Seyfert said. “She was just someone people liked. She was sweet and lovable and patient.”

Her love of people prompted Mrs. Benson to get into volunteer work in retirement. She loved children and volunteered frequently at schools, and when she lived in Ocalea, Fla., she worked with the Red Cross to assist with disaster relief after hurricanes and other emergencies.

She was also a Welcome Wagon volunteer.

Mrs. Benson died Monday, Dec. 10, at Lasata Care Center in Cedarburg. She was 88.

Her family said Mrs. Benson suffered from a number of medical issues that contributed to her death.

Mrs. Benson was a native of Buffalo, N.Y., born on Nov. 5, 1930, to James and Ethel Johnson Madden.

On Oct. 28, 1950, she married Elmer Benson in Buffalo.

Mr. Benson’s job required relocating every few years, so the couple and their growing family lived in New York, Indiana, Wisconsin, Florida and Canada through the years.

They lived in Port Washington from 1979 to 1989. In 2014, they moved to Cedarburg.

While the many moves could be challenging, Mrs. Benson took them in stride, her family said.

“She just kind of went with the flow,” her daughter said, noting she was an easygoing woman.

Mrs. Benson was an avid reader, primarily of romance novels, and she loved music, singing and acting.

After she retired, she got involved in theater programs at her retirement community in Ocalea and at Lasata.

“She loved being with people and entertaining people,” her daughter said.

Mrs. Benson also enjoyed spending time with children who came to visit Lasata.

Mrs. Benson is survived by her husband Elmer of Lasata Crossings; children Rick (Sharon) of Tonawanda, N.Y., Jim (Maria) of Wasilla, Alaska, Steve (Rebecca) of Highland, Ind., Sue (Doug) Lottes of Lansing, Mich., Tim (Gynne) of Milwaukee, Maryanne (Tom) Seyfert of Saukville and Pete (Erna) of Milwaukee; daughter-in-law Renee Benson of Port Washington; 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

She is further survived by her sisters Mary Lashuay of Buffalo, N.Y., and Margaret (Donald) Dansereau of Fort Worth, Texas.

Mrs. Benson was preceded in death by her parents James and Ethel and sons Tom and Robert.

A memorial service for Mrs. Benson will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington. Deacon Tom Surges will officiate.

A rosary will be prayed at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with visitation from 1 to 3 p.m.

Memorials to Lasata Care Center for resident activities are suggested.