Lois Adele Benge

Lois Adele Benge, cherished and beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and dear friend passed away in San Diego on August 4, 2018, at the age of 93.
Born August 13, 1924, to Paul Eugene Klein Sr. and Leila Alberta Klein in San Diego, Lois graduated from Hoover High School in 1942 and received her teaching degree from San Diego State College. Her father was instrumental in establishing the San Diego adult evening school which later developed into San Diego Community College. Lois, following in his footsteps, taught elementary school in San Diego and El Cajon for 35 years. She had a particular fondness for Lexington Elementary School in El Cajon where she made many friends and encouraged generations of children to be their best selves.
Lois met Truette Lester Benge of New Mexico at the Fifth Avenue Methodist Church. They were married June 20, 1943 and raised three sons, Kenneth, Philip, and Thomas.
In the years to follow, they were charter members of Wesley United Methodist Church where Lois taught Sunday School, served in many elected positions, and was active in every area in the church. Lois said she couldn’t pick out any one thing she enjoyed the most because she enjoyed everything she did.
Throughout her life, Lois was known for her service to others. She taught swimming at the La Mesa pool, shopped for food for the local food pantry, and served as board member of the Mid-City Christian Service Agency. When her boys decided to join a unicycle club, she learned to ride right along with them, balancing herself at first as she rode down the family hallway. The fingerprints on the ceiling years later attested to lots of practice. Her photo riding with her sons was even printed in the newspaper. Summer family vacations camping at Mt. Laguna, and birthday picnics at the beach with her grandchildren provided some of her fondest memories. In later years, Lois traveled Route 66 with her good friend Fabian Fouche, enjoyed reading, going to plays, was an avid letter writer, loved her pet cats, and was fond of butterflies.
She only saw the good and unlimited potential in others. As her granddaughter put it when she was in middle school “Grandma was the only one who really got me.”
Our family wishes to thank all of the kind and caring people at Stellar Care who helped in Lois’ compassionate care. We will be forever grateful.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Truette; father, Paul Eugene Klein, Sr.; mother, Leila Alberta Siefert Klein; brother, Paul Eugene Klein, Jr., and good friend, Fabian Fouche.
She is survived by her sons, Kenneth William Benge (Ann), Philip Eugene Benge (Barbara), and Thomas Lee Benge (Sally); and grandchildren Kim, Jeff, Kristen, Jon, Karen, and Lisa; and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Lois’ life will be held Saturday, September 15, 2018, at 2 pm at Wesley United Methodist Church, 5380 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, with interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery in San Diego, CA. The family suggests memorial contributions in Lois’ name be made to Wesley United Methodist Church.
An opportunity to post your remembrance may be found at http://featheringillmortuary.com.