Barbara Joy Paustian Benda peacefully left this world from her home on Wednesday, August

21, 2024, and flew on to her next great adventure. Barbara Benda was born on a very cold

night, November 15, 1926, in Ellendale, Minnesota to Carl and Effie (Drum) Paustian in their

home. Born into a family whose ancestors were some of the first settlers, they funded Capt.

John Smith and took part in establishing Harvard. The interesting history continued as they

settled across the country. Barbara was Valedictorian of her Ellendale class of 1945. She

attended Winona State University & McPhail School of Music. In 1975, Barbara received an

RN degree and worked until retirement in 1995. She volunteered with Mayo Hospice until

2000. Her nursing career at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Methodist Campus played a major role in

Barbara's life. Her hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant nursing experiences were

rewarding and she formed deep friendships with her colleagues.

Always a singer, Barbara started singing at the Ellendale Methodist church at the age of five,

where she was also baptized and confirmed. She continued her talents in several college,

church and community choirs, and at weddings and funerals. Barb was also a talented piano

and organ player and entertained us with polkas, hymns, and classical music. We are

blessed to have developed an appreciation for all kinds of music.

Barbara met her beloved husband and great love of her life, Joseph Dwayne Benda, when

he was a lay preacher at Ellendale Methodist Church during World War II. Their first date

was at the Steele County Fair, where Barbara got sunburned and fell deeply in love. It was

love at first sight and the rest was history. On April 27, 1947, they were married at the

Ellendale Methodist Church. Shortly after they got married, they moved to a farm in Ellington

Township, Dodge County, where they spent their lives farming and raising their family of five

sons and five daughters. Barbara and Dwayne always had a variety of animals, including

their beloved Arabian horse named Gaze and their loyal German Shepherd companion,

Boadie.

Barbara loved reading and is well known for reading Winnie the Pooh stories to her children

and grandchildren. No one can match the character voices she created. She also loved to

sew, knit, and crochet. Each time a new grandchild or great grandchild was born, Barbara

would crochet a newborn set to celebrate. Her family was lovingly warmed by the hats,

scarves, and mittens she knit. Her many afghans and quilts will be a reminder of her love.

Barbara enjoyed cooking, gardening, and canning as well as travel. Barbara loved music

and she passed that gift along to many of her children, grandchildren, and great

grandchildren, playing piano and singing her favorite Methodist hymns to all of them.

Barbara was active in the United Methodist Church teaching Sunday School, serving on

many committees, and working with youth. Barbara worked with the United Methodist

Women in Owatonna UMC from 1947 to 1963 and in West Concord UMC from 1963 until it

recently closed.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dwayne Benda, brother, Donald

Paustian, sister, Miriam Welch, grandson, James Patrick Keel, and grandson-in-law, Adam

Schaefer.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Donna Wavrin, her 10 children, Robert (Joani) Benda,

Joy Roth, Susan (Tom) Keel, Merrilee (John) Hamerlinck, Debra Way, Craig (Mary Jane)

Benda, Mark Benda, Steven (Angie) Benda, Terry (Sheila) Benda, and Holly (Shawn) Busby.

Her 22 grandchildren Heidi (Chris) Leathers, Sarah (Matthew Johnson) Roth, Nicholas

(Kristina) Roth, Ryan (Jessa) Keel, Andy (Vanessa Vogl) Hamerlinck, Geoffrey (Katy Collier)

Hamerlinck, Barbara (Nathan) Irish, Jason (Laura) Benda, Cortnie Benda, Brooke (Levi)

Ranvek, Mallory Elwood, Dillon (McKenzie) Benda, Hunter (Rebecca) Benda, Mariah

(Hilman Speltz) Benda, Megan Schaefer, Slade (Tyler) Benda, Ethan Benda, Joshua

(Rachel) Benda, Derek (Kayla) Benda, Arianna (Charles Van Ginkel Mourelo) Winkle,

Edward ReMine, and Samuel ReMine.

Her 23 great grandchildren Beau and Brooks Leathers, Dorian Strelow, Eli and Ivy Irish,

Logan and Sadie Benda, Parker Benda, Jaeger and Floyd Ranvek, Rosalind, Bennett, and

Tyrnan Elwood, Joscalyn Benda, Elaine Speltz, Holden and Kai Schaefer, Hendrix and

Hudson Benda, Charles Benda, Khloe and Kinzlie Benda, and December New Baby Benda

and many nieces and nephews.

Her long and active life of service was a blessing to so many. She will always be greatly

missed, but her unending love and our many wonderful memories will fill our hearts forever.

Memorials preferred to Mayo Hospice or donor's choice.

Celebration of life services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Concord, Mn on

August 26, 2024 at 1:30 PM.