Mary "Lise" Beneke

Mary "Lise" E. Beneke, 72, of Corvallis passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at St. Patrick Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born February 28, 1946 in Pasadena, California, the daughter of the late Erik and Eleanor (Elliott) Borchgrevink.

She was raised in La Crescenta, California where she was her high school mascot (Falcon) and graduated from Crescenta Valley High School in 1964.

In 1982, she moved to the Bitterroot Valley with her husband Robert "Bob'' Beneke and her children. Lise was involved in 4-H, the Bitterroot Cowbelles, Backcountry Horsemen, Bunco and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.  She was a Realtor/Broker for Cornerstone Realty for over 20 years and was involved with the Board of Realtors.

Lise enjoyed the life that Montana had to offer and was as comfortable in her garden and barn as she was in the office. She loved sitting by the lake, reading, camping and fishing. She was a friend to many and felt blessed by her friends and the life she lived. She was quick to laugh and her final days were spent with friends and family surrounded by love and laughter. She was a woman of faith and hoped to be remembered with fondness and joy.

Lise is survived by her husband, Robert, of Corvallis; Daughter Kristin (Mike) Sims-Nichols of Corvallis; Son Geoffrey (Emily) Sims of Campbell, Calif; and stepdaughters, Kathy Wilkey of Roseville, Ca and Kelly Morris of Orangevale, CA who she loved as her own.  She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was blessed to be a significant part of the lives of her nieces and nephew as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Brenda Vacca and Joyce Rowan; and daughter Laurie Parr.

At Lise's request there will be a graveside service and celebration of her life in early July when the sun is warm and the flowers are in bloom. 

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