Wilma Lucille "Lu" Benzel, 79, died Jan. 3, 2016. She was born Aug. 2, 1936, in Florence, Kansas, the daughter of Howard and Hazel Smith.
Lu graduated from Augusta High School in 1954, and from Denver Colorado Women's College in 1956. During 22 years of marriage to Lawrence Benzel, two children were born. Lu lived in Wheatland, California for 43 years and worked as a secretary for Marysville High School for 18 years. In 1988, Lu became office manager for Brown's Valley Realty and later moved to Logue Realty until she retired. She was a member of Wheatland Christian Church, Business and Professional Women of America, and the Rebecca Lodge.
Survivors include: a brother, Bill Smith and wife Kathy of Topeka; son, Mike Benzel and wife Kelly of Macksville; daughter, Karen Schwane of Hagerman, Idaho; a grandson, three grandaughters, three great grandchildren, two nieces, and two nephews.
Graveside inurnment service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Hoisington Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.