Bernice E. Bensen, 83, a 14-year resident of Arlington Heights, died Monday in Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
Born in Spring Valley, Mrs. Bensen was a homemaker who raised seven children in Chicago. She also worked part time at Abrams clothing store for 20 years, but her pride and joy was always her family.
“She just loved being around her family,” said her granddaughter Terry Gerhardt. “We couldn’t wait to go to Grandma’s on Sunday.”
She enjoyed cooking and crocheting afghans for her children. “Everybody looked up to her,” Gerhardt said. “She was a frail little lady, but you should see the size of her sons and daughters.”
Fond of Chicago, Mrs. Bensen and her late husband, Vincent Bensen, were not fond of the winters. During their retirement years, they went to St. Petersburg, Fla., for the winters.
Survivors include four sons, Robert, Donald, Joseph and James; two daughters, Phyllis Prescher and Patricia Pfister; 26 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Friedrichs Funeral Home Inc., 320 W. Central Rd., Mt. Prospect, followed by a 10 a.m. mass in St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 700 S. Meier Rd., Mt. Prospect.
