Louise Benkert

Linda Louise Benkert, of Vanzant, Mo, was ushered to her Savior’s side on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, Mo. She now abides with her Lord more perfectly than ever before.

 Louise was born in Spokane, Washington on March 20, 1949, but she spent the majority of her life in southwest Missouri. It was there that she graduated from Willard High School and became a beautician while raising her three boys with her husband, Don. As a follower of Christ, faith and trust in Jesus were central values to Louise’s manner of living, and she sought to ensure her family leaned on Jesus as well, taking them to church as often as the doors were open.

 Later, Louise began a career with Walmart, starting as a cashier and eventually being promoted to assistant store manager. After Walmart, she worked a few miscellaneous jobs here and there, yet it was never her work that defined her; her motherly love was.

Louise was many things to many people throughout her life on Earth: a loving wife, a caring friend, a cheerful co-worker, and more. Nevertheless, her identity as “Mom” and “Grandma” overshadowed them all. In everything she did, her motherly instinct guided her. A nurturer to many, she was a caretaker at heart. Even to the childhood friends of her boys she was known as “Mom.” She always welcomed, cared for, and loved them just as much as her own. This affectionate attitude towards those around her governed her life to such an extent that when her own mother was aging, Louise brought her home and tended to every need she had. As her sons grew and married, she received their wives as though they were her very own daughters, a couple more children to which she would be a devoted mother. When her middle son, Mike, was battling cancer, taking care of him was her top priority, and as the health of her husband, Calvin, declined, she served him faithfully too. None could deny that being a caretaker and a mother was what Louise did best, even also to the multitude of pets she adored. She was an incredible mom and wife at heart, an unparalleled example of courageous selflessness to those who witnessed and experienced her love.

 In 2014, Louise met Patrick Benkert. Having married him on February 27, 2015, and moving to him in Vanzant, Mo, she spent the last 9 years of her life joyfully taking care of Pat, designing their dream home, and caring for their many cows, pigs, guineas, ducks, cats, and dogs of all shapes and sizes. It was there with Pat that Louise’s heart found fulfillment and peace. She loved sitting on her porch, looking out at the trees beyond her pond as the hummingbirds buzzed around, and visiting her beloved neighbor, Jeff (who also called her “Mom.”) It was also there that she would pray ceaselessly for her kids and grandkids, for no matter where she was, her heart was always with them. She cherished her sons and their families dearly and stood in their corner in all situations, encouraging them in whatever endeavors they chose. She was always invested in their lives, laughing and crying through the ups and downs, and often laying them before her Lord in prayer.

 As “Grandma,” she filled the memories of her grandchildren to the brim with special weekends at her house, enjoying movies, playing cards, and wrestling with her dogs. They always returned home sufficiently spoiled with soda, popcorn, and sweets, but even in the midst of the fun she never failed to foster special relationships with each of them. Each and every grandchild of hers associates the name “Grandma” with the utmost warmth and joy.

 Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Phyllis Dickens; brothers, James Dickens and Carl Dickens; son, Michael Randleman; and husband, Calvin Sisco. 

 She is survived by her husband, Patrick Benkert of Vanzant, Mo; sons Jeff Randleman and wife Heather of Sedalia, Mo, and Rick Randleman and wife Anna of Republic, Mo; grandchildren Hannah, Lydia, Titus (and wife Katrina), Luke, Levi, Abigail, Jadon, Jude, Mercy and Lex; sister Helen Myers of Nixa, Mo, and her treasured dachshund, Blue.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Parkview Christian Church in Sedalia, Mo or Southland Christian Church in Springfield, Mo.