Frances (Beneker) Bischoff passed away at home, peacefully in her sleep, on September 11th. Frances was born on June 23,1933 to Amos and Marie Beneker.
Frances will be deeply missed by her children, Danny (Rose) Bischoff, Dale (Bonnie) Bischoff, Doug (Karen) Bischoff, Dave (Janet) Bischoff, Duane (Doty) Bischoff, and Donna (Ryan) Davidson and by her 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Born and raised in St. Leon, Frances married Leroy Bischoff on August 21, 1954. They owned and operated Bischoff’s Greenhouse for 40 years. Through owning the Greenhouse, Frances was able to instill the importance of hard work and honesty to all of her children and grandchildren. What started as a roadside vegetable stand turned into a family business that spread beauty throughout the community. Even in her retirement, Frances would grow vegetables and flowers to sell at local Farmer’s Markets. She was a strong woman who displayed unwavering love and devotion to her husband, family, friends and community. Although her health had started to decline in the last few years, she made sure to stay feisty and stubborn through it all.
Frances loved playing cards with her family and friends. Whether it was euchre, pinochle, five crowns or 500, she was always up for a good game. You could also find Frances attending local bingos, church festivals and eating a tasty chicken dinner.
Her grandchildren’s favorite childhood memories include spending snow days and afternoons with grandma playing board games, eating her famous homemade spaghetti, making pineapple rolls and snow ice cream. They enjoyed building forts in the basement and waking up early to help out at the Farmer’s Market and Sale Barn. Grandma would always buy homemade Amish rolls as a treat for helping!
Frances was admired by her community for sharing her natural gift of arranging flowers by pouring love into making arrangements for people who came to her in times of sorrow and times of celebration.
She was always willing to give back to her community by serving at the St. Leon Fireman’s Festival, being a lifelong member of All Saints Parish, St. Mary’s Altar Society, and St. Joseph American Legion Post 464 Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; her parents: Amos and Marie Beneker; her sisters: Mildred Stenger, Rita Stenger, Lillian Knue; and her brothers: Jim Beneker, Wilfred Beneker, and Paul Beneker.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home with Rosary at 4:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial is at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 15, 2023 at All Saints Parish- St. Joseph campus in St. Leon. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made in Frances’ honor to St. Leon Volunteer Fire Department or St. Joseph Cemetery Fund. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.