Marcella Benjamin

Marcella Judith “Marcy” Benjamin, whose Ojibwe name is Waabananangookwe, “Morning Star Woman,” of Union Twp., Burnett Co., WI, passed away at her home at the age of 67 years, on Wednesday morning, January 6, 2016. She died with her family by her side, and with her beauty always shining through, following a courageously fought battle against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) the last 22 months. Marcy was born in Green Bay, WI, on August 30, 1948, a daughter of Irvin and Jane (Martin) Adams. She was a 1967 graduate of Thorp High School, Thorp, WI. In 1968, Marcy moved to Minneapolis, MN, working in various job positions. From 1990 to 1994, she lived in Prescott, AZ, and was employed at the Yavapai Casino owned by the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe. She returned to Minneapolis in 1994, and then moved to her home on Yellow Lake in November 1995. On November 7, 1998, Marcy married Richard T. “Rick” Benjamin in Minneapolis, MN. Prior to becoming a homemaker in 2002, Marcy was employed in Hertel, WI, with the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Office of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. Marcy was a devout Green Bay Packer fan. She was a very good cook and enjoyed gardening. She loved collecting Native American dolls, crafts and pictures which she displayed in her home. Marcy was an immaculate interior decorator and took great pride in how her home looked. She strongly believed in staying healthy and being physically fit. Marcy was a very friendly, kind, loving and caring individual. Many people know her as a beautiful, warm and sweet woman. She was also a brave person with toughness and inner strength. She is preceded in death by sons, Robert Stevens and Wesley Stevens; and her foster mother, Marjorie Cubera. Marcy is survived by sons: Scott Stevens (Tiffany Ness) and Craig Stevens (Shiela Zephier); step-daughters: Kimberly Benjamin, Neely (Jason) Snyder, and Jackie (Keith) Pearl; 14 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 1 step great-grandchild. She is also survived by sisters: Loretta (Ernie) Smith, Rose (Bernard) Johnson, Helen Dohm, Elizabeth (Tony) Baynes, and Carol White; brothers: Jerry Adams and Irvin Adams; foster father, Alvin Cubera; foster brother, Roger Cubera; and foster sisters: Merry Berdal, and Kathy (Marvin) Latimer; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Visitation will be held Friday, January 8, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Lake Lena - Aazhoomog Community Center, 45749 Grace Lake Rd., Sandstone Twp., MN. Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday, January 9, 2016 commencing at 10:00 am at Lake Lena - Aazhoomog Community Center with Lee Staples officiating the service. Interment will be in Danbury Cemetery, Danbury, WI. Pallbearers, Shawn Smith, Thomas Benjamin, Jason Snyder, Shawn Stevens, Raymond Stevens and Jordan Stevens. Honorary Pallbearers, Wesley Stevens , Sean Symouksavanh, Lawrence Matrious and Jimmy Denny Arrangements were entrusted with Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.