Eunice (Emal) Benker Obituary (1930 - 2012)

Eunice (Emal) Benker, 81 years of age, of Beatrice, passed away at the Beatrice Manor Care Center Monday morning, January 9, 2012. She was born on May 28, 1930 in Beatrice to Frank and Carrie (Dolen) Walker. She was a 1948 graduate of Beatrice High School. Eunice and Verne Emal were married in 1949 in Fullerton, NE. She had been employed at the Gramercy Retirement Center in Lincoln as a medical assistant, and moved back to Beatrice in 1996 after she retired. Eunice was a member of the First Baptist Church; had volunteered at the Beatrice Senior Center; and was a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed painting, latch hook, word search puzzles, helping people, and collected Teddy Bears. Survivors include 2 sons; Thomas A. Emal and wife Laury of Lincoln, and Timothy L. Emal and wife Suzanne of Seward; 2 grandchildren Brandy and Cole Emal; great granddaughter Taylor Ann; sister Donna Buss and husband Ralph; brother Wayne Walker and wife Patricia; sister in law Elda Walker, all of Beatrice; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Carrie (Dolen) Walker; husband Verne Emal, 5 brothers and 5 sisters. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Theodora Boolin officiating. Interment will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery. The body will lie in state Wednesday from 2-9:00 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 6-7:00, and at the church one hour preceding the service. A family prayer service will be held at 1:45 P.M. Thursday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in charge. You may sign Eunice's guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.