Annette Benoit

Annette Benoit, age 83, of Damar, Kansas, passed away Friday, August 20, 2021, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

She was born June 30, 1938, in Damar to Oliver and Mary (Morin) Brin.

While growing up, Annette enjoyed babysitting for the neighbor’s children, helping with her family’s garden, and baking. After high school graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Benoit, on May 21, 1956, in Damar. They were fortunate enough to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary this past May with their family.

Annette and Richard started their married life in Washington State where Richard was stationed in the Army. While living there, Annette worked in a clothing store. Shortly after Richard’s military discharge, they decided to return home to Damar to begin their family. Once there, she busied herself with raising their five children, helping with their dairy, and starting her career as a secretary for USD 269, which spanned 27 years.

Annette’s cookie jar was always full of homemade cookies and cinnamon rolls were ready for anyone needing a snack. Besides Christmas and Easter (actually every season), Halloween was one of her favorite times of the year. She loved buying candy for the little ones and always had several different types of soup for family or anyone who came by trick-or-treating. Annette also liked teaching her children to cook from scratch, anything from no-bake cookies to chocolate cakes with fresh caramel frosting. Many summer meals included fresh fried chicken, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, and fresh out-of-the-oven homemade bread. During the winter, anytime a major snowstorm was in the forecast, the ice cream freezer came out. The ice cream was always topped with a batch of Annette’s delicious homemade chocolate syrup. Although cooking and baking were two very enjoyable pursuits, Annette also loved to play pinochle when she had some spare time.

One of Annette’s greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and taking many pictures of them. When they were around her famous words were, “Rich, get the camera!” Her grandchildren fondly remember sleepovers at Meme and Pepe’s. They never lacked fun activities to do at Meme’s. There were plenty of blanket forts, always a dress-up fashion show, and snacks for any appetite. The grandchildren learned how to make and frost sugar cookies, butcher chickens, round-up escaped cattle, and take daily walks to get the mail. Meme always had room on her lap for “one more” and she never ran out of hugs and kisses!

Annette was preceded in death by her daughter Peggy Diane; her son, Joe; her sisters: Rita, Merida, Barbara, Patricia, and Iona; and her brothers: Levi, Clarence, Francis, and Omer.

Survivors left to cherish her memory include her husband, Richard, of the home; two sons: Tom and wife Donna of Damar and Don and wife Sandy, of Damar; a daughter, Nancy Hageman and husband Jerry of Plainville; one sister, Sr. Diane Brin of Concordia; twelve grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Annette believed that time together as a family is a gift and leaves that as her legacy.

Visitation will be Monday, August 23, 2021, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy Ave in Hill City.

A Vigil and Rosary will be held on Monday, August 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 107 N. Oak, in Damar.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at the church. Final resting place will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Damar.

Memorials are suggested to Masses and also the St. Joseph Cemetery Fund and can be sent in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy Ave., Hill City, Kansas 67642.