Barbara E. Benjamin

Barbara (Barb) Ellen Benjamin (nee Stolz) was born April 23, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Hazel (nee Smith) and Rev. E. Helmuth Stolz.

We will be gathering on Saturday April 29th, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mayville, WI to remember Barbara.
There will be a visitation at 10:00 am. The service will start at 11:00 am to Noon. After the service, we will gather for fellowship in the basement where a light lunch and refreshments will be served. The church is equipped with an elevator to access the basement.

Barbara was the eldest of six children and survived by her siblings: Polly Eastberg, Rita (Rich) Mastroiani, Eileen (Marty) Harrison, Phil (Suzanne) Stolz and Jon (Deb) Stolz. The family lived in the parsonage of St Paul’s Lutheran Church located at 2812 W Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee, WI where Barbara’s father was the pastor until his retirement in 1983.

Barbara attended Wisconsin Avenue grade school, which was directly across the street from their home and church. Barb went on to Wells Street Junior HS and then proceeded to West Division High School. Her sisters and her late brother-in-law, Jim Eastberg, who were in the same class as Barbara, attended West Division as well. Although her sisters were all cheerleaders, Barb was the athlete; she especially liked softball and volleyball, and at one point was Milwaukee’s badminton champion!

Barbara graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where she majored in music, studied piano and voice, minored in physical education, and was a sorority member of Delta Omicron. During her time at UW-Milwaukee, Barbara met Dennis W Benjamin of West Allis, also a music major. Dennis studied trumpet performance and Barbara became his accompanist. While at UW-MKE, Barbara made several lifelong friends who will miss keeping in touch with her.

On Sunday, July 17, 1966, Barbara married Dennis Benjamin, just a day after her sister Rita married her late husband, Gerry. Their father officiated at both weddings. The Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel carried an article with photos about the ceremonies.

Barbara and Dennis had two daughters, Carrie (Rob) Anderson of Horicon and Lara Ellen Benjamin of Greenfield. Blessed with six grandchildren–Damien, Brendon, Ashley (Mike), Noah, Jonah, and Nora. Barbara is also survived by one precious great-granddaughter, Emelyn.

Barb was a talented music teacher. Over several decades, she taught and substituted for the Waukesha, Whitnall, and Milwaukee area school districts, as well as, at the Gifted Learning Center. For twenty-five years, Barb taught at St. Mary Parish School in Hales Corners. During these years, she met her kindred-spirit friend Jude. Jude and her children were like family to Barb, and after church services Barb and Dennis would spend Christmas Eve with Jude’s family. Following her retirement from St. Mary, Barb taught at St. John Lutheran in Mayville.

Barbara’s love of music was not limited to teaching. For forty years, she sang for and was a section leader with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus. During this time, she had the wonderful opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York. Retiring after the 2015 Symphony season, the friendships Barb made lasted throughout her life.

Barb enjoyed sharing her musical talents with her church family. From birth until Dennis’ retirement in 1998, she was a member of St. Paul’s Milwaukee. When they built their new home in Iron Ridge, WI, they became members of St. Paul Mayville. Over the years Barb served in positions such as choir director, Sunday school teacher and music director.

Boating, camping, and traveling occupied the spare time of Barb and Dennis. While their daughters were young, they enjoyed taking road trips to Lake of the Ozark with Polly & Jim, and their kids, Mark & Tricia, all in one car! A later trip Barb and Dennis enjoyed was joining friends taking their boat, named the “High C,” on a poker run in the Florida Keys. One of Barb’s favorite trips was a trip to Germany with her mother, sister Eileen, her aunt Inge and cousins Paul and David. While in Germany, they spent time with the Stolz family relatives who resided there. Another noteworthy trip was her adventure to Italy with Marquette University Chorus where she chaperoned the choir students and joined their chorus in singing at numerous cathedrals.

Due to medical issues that presented themselves in late 2016, Barbara received assisted living care provided by family members. During that time, she attended Martin Luther Church in Milwaukee where her friend and former chorus member Kelly Kuhl was the choir director. As her medical needs increased, Barbara attended a day program at St Ann’s Intergenerational Care Center in Bayview. The final years of her life were spent at Crossroads Care Center in Mayville, WI, where the skilled nursing staff cared for her. Barbara kept the staff and residents entertained by playing the piano for them. Through her extended church families and her caregivers, Barb found the support and encouragement she needed to face her end-of-life issues. During the final months of life, Generations Hospice made sure Barb was kept safe and comfortable. They even provided a music therapist!

The family is beyond grateful for the amazing caregivers at each of the named facilities. Barbara will be greatly missed by her husband, family, friends, former co-workers and students. We take comfort in knowing she will be reunited with her parents and dear brother-in-law and friend, Jim Eastberg. We are grateful for knowing she is in her Heavenly home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A gathering to celebrate her life is being planned for the spring when it is easier for Barb’s siblings to get together.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Paul Mayville, Martin Luther Church Milwaukee, St. Paul’s Milwaukee, or St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care St. Francis Campus would be appreciated