Obituary of Mary Alice Benzschawel

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Mary Alice Ziebarth Benzschawel quietly passed away on Jan. 3^rd, 2021, after a long battle with dementia and recently Covid.

Mary was born June 1^st, 1946, in St. Paul Minn., to parents August and Alice Ziebarth.

On May 5^th, 1968, Mary married the love of her life Reinold “Nick” Benzschawel. They had two children (twins) Nicholas and Tiffany.

The family lived in Imperial Beach, Calif., for many years. Nick served his country with the Navy SEAL Teams, while Mary held down the fort at home, raising the twins and also serving as an Ombudswoman for the SEAL Team wives. They also were members of Mar Vista Baptist Church where Mary was a choir director. She could sing like an angel and some of our fondest memories will be of her songs of praise.  

Mary graduated valedictorian of her nursing school from Southwestern Community College. She started her nursing career at Chula Vista Community Hospital in California. She went on to work as an oncology nurse with Dr. Rosalba Rodriguez. Together they were a strong team building a successful practice and a lifelong friendship. Mary finished her nursing career in Boise, Idaho, working for St. Luke’s Internal Medicine. She was a very skilled nurse and highly respected by the medical community. Mary absolutely loved being a nurse and she put her whole heart into caring for her patients. Mary’s patients knew that they would be treated with compassion and dignity.

Later after Nick retired from the Navy he and Mary moved to McCall, Idaho, where they had many wonderful adventures together. They developed special lifelong friendships and enjoyed entertaining, hiking and fishing and creating memories. They later moved to Boise to be closer to family.  Nick and Mary had a beautiful and loving marriage. Their home and their hearts were always open. The life they shared together is full of joyful memories and special moments and a love that will last forever

Along with being an amazing wife and, mother, Mary was also a true friend. She was a member of a ladies Red Hatter group, or as she preferred to call it “Le Chapeau Rouge” and these girls were all very special to her.  Mary was all about creating special memories.

 She loved to entertain, dance and laugh a lot. Life was a party and she enjoyed every minute of it. She had a very special gift of making lifelong friendships, if you needed a laugh, a prayer partner, a shoulder to cry on - she was there for you. She was everything that glittered and sparkled in this world: beauty, elegance, classy and full of spirit, that was our Queen Mary. If you were her friend, then you are guaranteed to have some amazing memories with her - whether it was a fishing adventure, a party or a girls’ night out toasting to life with Champagne and belly laughs.

Mary gave her life and her heart to the Lord and was always ready to share her testimony. She started a women’s ministry called “Catch the Spirit” and shared her faith and joy of the Lord with everyone.  She was a prayer warrior and her faith was intact even in the very end. Mary’s favorite Bible Verse was John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Mary is survived by her beloved husband Reinold “Nick or Popi” Benzschawel, son Nicholas Benzschawel, daughter Tiffany Oswald (Mike), brother George Ziebarth (Jo Evelyn) and sister- in- law Carole Ziebarth. She is also survived by her grandchildren Cody Oswald (Sonia), Conner Oswald, Gabrielle Benzschawel and Gunnar Benzschawel, - along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents August and Alice Ziebarth, and her brother Leon Ziebarth.

Funeral services will be held at Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene and streamed online. A private family burial will be held at the Veterans Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Morning Star Memory Care for all their support, love, and amazing compassionate care they provided. 

In lieu of flowers, donations by be made to Morning Star Memory Care Activities Department in Mary’s name.

Memories and condolences may be shared with Mary’s family on her memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com