Carlee E. Benke

MORTON - Carlee Esther Benke, 82, of Morton, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton, Ill..
She was born July 16, 1940, in Albany, Texas, to Rev. Carl and Viola (Ahlhorn) Mutschink.  She married Richard Benke on November 26, 1961.  They had three children.  Carlee was preceded in death by her oldest son, Steven, on September 11, 2014, and by Richard on July 21, 2019. 
Survivors include her daughter, Dawn (Joel) Conrad of Haymarket, Va.; her son, Mark (Nicole) Benke of Katy, Texas; and grandchildren, Kate and Rick Benke, Joshua (Abigail) Conrad, and Andrew Benke.
Carlee was a registered nurse, working early in her marriage and then again once the children reached high school to help support the family and put the kids through college.  She was a faithful wife and helpmate to her husband, a Lutheran pastor, teacher, seminary administrator and professor, whose ministry took them to Racine, Wisconsin; Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri; East Moline, Illinois; and ultimately to Morton.
While a devoted wife, loving mother, and more than capable homemaker, Carlee opened her home to help new teachers and their wives as they sought housing and began their teaching careers in Baltimore.  She welcomed a troubled teenager into her home and into the family for several months as the girl and her mother received counseling for issues in their relationship.  As a result of Carlee’s impact, the girl pursued nursing for her profession and became a wonderful Christian mother in adulthood.  Carlee served as a volunteer campus nurse at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis when her husband was on the staff and faculty there.
In her later years, Carlee welcomed her aging parents into her home and helped care for them.  Across the years Carlee enjoyed cooking and baking, gardening, singing, reading, attending theater productions, and travel with family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton, with Pastor Jeff Anderson officiating.  Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to the service at the church.
Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Bethel Lutheran Ministries, 325 E. Queenwood, Morton, IL 61550.