ELIZABETH BENSON WEHNER

1925-2018

January 4, 1925

– January 23, 2018 Ethel Mae Benson was born on January 4, 1925, the younger daughter of Elizabeth and Leonard R. Benson, in Oakland, Nebraska. Her early childhood was spent in Iowa City, Iowa, before moving to Austin in 1937. After graduating from Austin High School in 1942, she spent two semesters at the University of Texas before joining the war effort.

After the war ended, she married Sterling Wehner, and became known as Beni Wehner. They moved to California after Sterling completed his engineering degree from the University of Texas. After 3 years, they moved to Houston, and for the next two plus decades, Beni was very busy raising five sons, completing her college work by graduating from the University of Houston, starting her teaching career, and becoming very involved in the activities of St. Francis Episcopal Church where she also taught ten years at St. Francis Episcopal Day School.

After a divorce and a name change to Elizabeth Benson Wehner, Beth moved back to her beloved Austin in 1977, and entered what she called – the Reward Years. She finished her teaching career with ten years at Burnet Junior High in AISD. And she met her wonderful friend, Linn McKeighan, with whom she was able to travel to all fifty states. When long distance driving was no longer feasible, Beth and Linn took up square dancing, and Beth also found fulfillment in volunteering at the Gathering – a respite program for people with Alzheimer’s.

For her final years, Beth moved to the Lyndale Retirement Community in San Angelo, where she was able to indulge her love of bridge by playing, with her son, Karl, as partner.

Beth was predeceased by her parents, of Austin, and her sister, Frances Kahn, of Sedona, Arizona. She is survived by five sons and their wives: the Rev. Paul and Sherry of Richmond, Texas; Eric and Glenda of Houston, Texas; Dr. Karl and Sherry of San Angelo, Texas; Todd and Sarah of Austin, Texas; and Joel and Terri of Houston, Texas. She also leaves nine grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

A celebration of Beth’s life will be held on Saturday, March 10 at 2 PM at Calvary Episcopal Church, 806 Thompson Road, Richmond, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houston Audubon Society.