Benita Flora

Our Mom, Benita T. Flora, of Wausau, WI passed away at the age of 87 unexpectedly on September 10th, 2022 while attending one of her favorite yearly events, Art in the Park at Marathon Park.  Mom was born on November 19th, 1934, in Stevens Point, WI.  Her parents were the late Rhode and Mary Sorenson of Stevens Point, WI.  Mom was united in marriage with our Dad, Floyd A. Flora, Jr. of Ladysmith, WI on October 15th, 1955.  They moved to Wausau shortly after where they raised five children.

Over her life, Mom worked for the Visiting Nurses Association of Wausau, Aspirus Hospital in the Anesthesia Department, and as a patient sitter.  She was also a volunteer at Aspirus in her later years while also volunteering at First English Church and the Grand Theater, again another favorite.   Mom was never one to sit still, over her life she loved crafting, sewing (on her antique Singer), making dolls not only for all her kids and grandkids, but attended many craft shows where she would sell and show off her talent.  Mom loved reading; she was always in the middle of some novel when we visited.  Over the years she enjoyed cross country skiing, dancing, rummage and estate sales, quilting at home and with her lady friends at First English Church, where she was also a part of the church choir.  She also acted as our daycare provider during the summers, taking care of up to 6 of her grandchildren, which she missed greatly after they grew up.  She continued over her later years by being involved in all our families lives as much as possible.  Mom also was not one to look for attention from her gift giving, because of her many rummage sale treasures she would sneak in and drop off without knocking to let us know she was there.

She is survived by her five children Eric (Donna) Flora of Michigan, Bruce (Cindy) Flora, Christy Flora-Schweiss, Guy (Shell) Flora and Lee Flora-Fochs all of Wausau; eight grandchildren Cara Flora, Matthew (Mia) Flora, Jesse (Keena) Flora, Hailey (Conner) Monk, Hayden Feltz, Erin Flora, Jill Schweiss and Chandler Fochs; four great grandchildren Noah Flora, Emmy Flora, Ryleigh Hanke and the most recent addition Adelaide Monk; and siblings Rhode Sorenson, Ione Hetzer, Rosemary Sorenson, Annette Sorenson and Cindy Rutkowski.

In addition to our parents, mom was preceded in death by our dad, Floyd A. Flora; son-in-law Jonathan Schweiss; granddaughter Julie Schweiss; sister Fay Yakjusz; and brother Eugene (Butch) Sorenson.

The family would like to thank the good Samaritans at Marathon Park that day who stepped up to try to save our mother, which whom we may never know. They will always be in our thoughts knowing you did what you could.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at First English Lutheran Church, 402 North 3rd Ave, Wausau.  Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM until the time of the service at church.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations or gifts to the First English Church Quilting Fund.