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People we remember
Biographies are where we share about family & friends to connect with others who remember them.
Pam Marks:
George Lawrence Benning was born to William Joseph Benning (1852 - 1930) and Imogene N. (Millard) Benning (1854 - 1916) in Boone, Iowa. He had 9 siblings: Nelson, Henry, Lois, Cora, Walter Joseph, Grace, Arthur, Mabel and Lloyd. He was the youngest.
George was married twice, first to Mildred Wilson, and his second marriage to Eileen Constance (Tasker) Benning had Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch. He also had a daughter, Lois (Benning) Ewen, from his first marriage to Mildred (Wilson) Benning. His second family lived first in Seattle, then Portland, then in Bremerton Washington, a small port town which grew during WW2. He owned the Chevrolet car dealership in Bremerton.
Micky Reed, the owner of the Reed Chevrolet dealership in Bremerton Washington, was on a local river fishing trip and drowned. Micky's widow, Meeka (who I, his granddaughter knew, since she and my grandmother were friends until they died), sold the dealership to George. He called it Reed-Benning dealership as an homage to Micky. Chevrolet didn't like the fact that a woman (oh lordy, a WOMAN!) sold the dealership on her own so they made new rules. The upshot? When George, my grandfather, died, my grandmother couldn't sell the dealership!
He was very active in the business, social and political components of the community. I know that he was a Freemason and a Shriner, and that he had some strong relationships with State politicians. (Note from his granddaughter: George was good friends with Warren Magnuson, first a US Representative and then a US Senator. Evidently, Magnuson used to spend summers at my grandparent's house - I saw a letter of condolence from him to my grandmother when George died, expressing how much he would miss George and referencing the wonderful summers he spent at their house. Also in their social circle? Names that you would recognize today: the Gates' - yes, that Bill Gates family - the Nordstroms , and more. The Seattle/Bremerton community was small then.) George also was instrumental in establishing the Elks Lodge in Bremerton, and was involved with the creation of the Washington Athletic Club in downtown Seattle. George was also a founding member of the Isaac Evans American Legion Post in Seward, Alaska in 1919.
One cool story about George: He had a bit of real estate in Bremerton and rented these homes to his employees. Upon George's death his will stipulated that the deeds to the homes get passed along to the employees.
Also, the story my Mom (George’s daugher) told me about the homes - the people weren't employees but simply people who lived in Bremerton at the time. Since George was a Mason, he was also involved in charitable activities. Mom said that no one (including family) knew that he had bought (I heard 3) houses for people who had problems paying rent and were going to be evicted. (This was probably around the end of the Depression.) He didn't charge the tenants rent and when he died he left the homes to the tenants. However, my sister (who says she has a copy of George's will), notes that there is no record of any homes being deeded.
Daniel Pinna:
"Celebrating Thanksgiving with mom and Lisa. Kathy lived from 9 - 16 years old in Seattle. She had thanksgiving with grandma Nel and grandpa Shirley at noon and then at 5 they drove across Seattle to Magnolia Bluff to celebrate with Aunt Elaine (grandpa’s sister) since she wouldn’t talk or interact with Shirley (her step grandfather). Her father was Hollis and when her mother died they adopted out all of the girls including Elaine."
Daniel Pinna:
George Edward Germain was born to Frederick Dominick "Buster" Germain Jr. (1906-1977) and Ruth Carl Germain (1907-1930). He had one sibling, a brother named Ernest John "Ernie" Germain (1928-1994). Ernie died on February 16th, 1994 - just a little over 2 months before George.
In the 1930s Census, George was 2 years old and living with his grandfather, Wilfred Germain, at 142 Elm Street in Albany New York. His mother had died when he was a little over 2 years old. His brother Ernest, age 1, was also living in the household.
According to the 1940 census, he was 12 years old and living at the Lasalle School and Male Orphanage in Albany New York having completed the 5th grade. Brother Ernest was not listed as living at the orphanage.
George was a veteran of World War II. He enlisted in the United States Navy on October 13, 1944, and was discharged on July 4, 1946.
Frank X Aceves Jr:
Gus was my maternal grandfather. I am Frankie Jr. I was nine when he passed away. His daughter, Melba Joan Aceves, was my mother and she went to be with the Lord on 9/4/2018. I remember meeting my grandfather a few times when our family drove to Florida from California. Sadly, I don't remember much. I do remember my mother cried a lot when he died. As his grandson, I am 64 years old, and I am in ill health with stage IV metastatic pancreatic cancer undergoing targeted immunotherapy. I am in Danville, California. I am writing this just to provide a little family info for any family or friends who might be interested. Gus' great grandchildren, my children, are Christopher Andrew Aceves and Sofia Colleen Aceves. Christopher moved to NYC in March of 2021 to pursue his career in musical theatre and Sofia graduated from UCSB in June of 2023. She currently works in my business as a marketing coordinator. I am a financial advisor with my own private practice.
I wish I got to know my grandfather better. I have many photos of him and I have the folded flag from his military funeral. May he rest in eternal peace.
LEONE TURNER:
Always there - Osias, the name given at birth but always called BUDDY! My big Brother who was always there for me. I have so many memories of him - one being I was hanging out on the corner with friends and he came over to me and told me to go upstairs as he heard that a gang was coming into the neighborhood. I do not remember if I listened to him or not. I always looked up to him and how I wish he was still here! Love ya so much & miss you!!
Kristin Dahl:
Great aunt Ruth Skari - Ruthie was my grandmother's sister, and when the two were widowed they shared a home above the funeral home that Ruth owned. I grew up in Iowa visiting Baldwin frequently and considered that my second home. It was not unusual for me to go downstairs to the funeral home parlors and help Ruthie 'say goodnight' and close the caskets in each parlor for the night, turning off the lights. We would also make food runs with Ruthie, delivering bags of food for those who had hard times, or were ill, infirm, or couldn't get to town.
Dee Rupenhoff:
Rose and Tony Zagarino - Rose is my grandmother. She worked in Millinery before marrying Anthony Zagarino. Fun Fact: Rose and Tony had the same birthday---September 24. He was born in 1910 and she was born in 1911. They had 4 daughters. She did beautiful knitting, sewing, and crocheting. Grandpa Tony loved baseball and was handy at building and fixing things.
Karen Mullenhoff Rupert (Judith Zagarino)
Curtis Beitans:
The Age. Melbourne. 8th September 1948.
CAIRNS. - On Sept. 7, at Arthur's Seat Rest Home,
Elizabeth, daughter of the late Alexander and Janet
Cairns, sister of James ( deceased ), John ( dec.),
Janet ( Mrs. Brent, dec.), Alexander ( deceased ),
William ( dec.), Helen ( dec.), Walter, Mainridge.
Late of Eleanora, Point Nepean road, Rosebud.
Aged 82 years.
Cynthia Lynch:
Robert s. Whalen' great niece - I remember Uncle Bobby always carried me around on his neck. Picking me up and throwing me in the air. I was three
I also remember the night my dad walked in and said that Bobby's car was found in lake vasucies. And he had drowned in his car. I remember going to the funeral.
Uncle Bobby was married to a black lady named rose with alit of children but none from him.
I don't know what ever happened to her or her children. Never saw them again.
I always missed my Uncle Bobby the rest of my years growing up and still so. He will 4/ever be in my heart and memory.
Stuart Tresser:
Mr. Stuart H. Tresser - I knew Hyman as a pharmacist and kind caring person who had his pharmacy on Albany Avenue & Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights Brooklyn. Anytime I needed medicine he was there for me. He also introcuced me to Dr. Louis Lostfogel, M.D. around the corner on Montgomery Street & Albany Avenue. He had compassion and was a dedicated pharmacist helping out anyone who was ill. God Bless Him!
Stuart H. Tresser, customer & friend
Peg Hartwig:
Vila Kading was a teacher in a 1 room school house. Among many things she taught her students, one was how to draw a bird without lifting your pencil.
She married Martin Kading. They had a farm in Cadot Wisconsin.
Upon retiring, Martin and Vila moved to Helen st. In Kimberly WI, across the street from John Dale Kelly, his wife Theresa, and their 7 children.
After Martin passed, Vila became wven closer to the Kelly family and became the Honorary grandmother to the Kelly children. She celebrated every birthday making angelfood cakes. She celebrated every holiday with the Kelly family. Vila was also known for her creation of Christmas Stollen that was truly the best.
Vila attended mass often with the Kelly family, dressed with her mink wrap and white gloves.
Vila was a very loving grandmother to the Kelly children ❤️.