Mary L. Benzel, 84, of North Platte, NE passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Azria Health Centennial Park.
She was born on September 29, 1938 in Lincoln, NE the daughter of G. Paul and Helen (McAdams) Laub. The family moved to Denver, CO in 1941, where she was eventually joined by 4 siblings. They then moved back to Cheyenne, WY in 1952 and she finished high school there in 1956. She worked in Civil Service at Ft. Francis E. Warren AFB after high school, then joined her father in business in Great Falls, MT. She then returned to Cheyenne and worked for the Cheyenne newspaper then for the Wyoming Dept. of Revenue. She was joined in marriage to Melvin Benzel in 1966 intending to make their home in Cheyenne along with daughter Angela who arrived in 1970. Union Pacific Railroad changed their minds by moving them to North Platte for the opening of the new diesel shop in 1971. Mary was a stay-at-home Mom until Angela started school. She then joined the work force at the Lincoln County Treasurers Office and eventually was Supervisor in the Motor Vehicle Dept. until her retirement in 1998.
She was an avid reader and traveler to over 30 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and 8 countries in Europe. She and Melvin often quipped that they had to go to Disneyland “before Angela was too old to use as an excuse.” Her grandson Christopher joined them in their many travels and allowed them to stay young. She said if we had a family motto, it would be “lets to find out!” She also often quipped about not living long enough to become a great grandma; but was blessed with a great granddaughter, Katerina.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; and brother, Gary Laub.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Angela Benzel; grandson, Chris Carrizales; and great granddaughter, Katerina Carrizales all of North Platte; brother, Jack (Vicki) Laub of Oceanside, OR; sister, Gay Robbins of Cheyenne, WY and John Laub of North Platte; and numerous nephews and their families.
Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Cremation was chosen and burial alongside her husband Melvin will be private for the family at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Memorial visitation and book signing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 27th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children or to the donor’s choice. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.