Mildred A. Beneke

Beneke Mildred ``Millie'' A., age 83, of Glencoe, MN, on July 25, 2002. Preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 60 years, Arnold. Survived by children, Bruce (Martha Eaves), Paula, Brad (Dr. Carolyn Torkelson), Cynthia Gaffney (David), Lesa Melby (Mike); 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; and close family friends, Pete Stibal (Mari) and Sam Namakkal (Carol Sarrillion). Millie was devoted to the Glencoe community and along with her husband ``Arnie'' helped to build Glencoe's first swimming pool, its country club and its library fund. Millie was the first woman elected to the Glencoe City Council and worked tirelessly to build Glencoe's first senior citizens' housing, named in her honor as Millie Beneke Manor. She and Arnie founded ``Buffalo Creek Players'' where Millie wrote, directed and produced plays for nearly 25 years. She especially enjoyed working with children and writing and producing children's plays and she and Arnie played feature roles in French movie maker Louis Malle's documentary on small town life called `God's Country.' Millie and Arnie helped to found Pi House and Project Interaction to provide training and transition assistance for women at Shakopee Women's Prison. Millie loved life and her family and a memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Sunday, August 4 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe at 2 pm. Memorials to Millie Beneke Memorial or charity of the donor's cohice. Arr. with Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. 320-864-3737

Published on July 30, 2002