Mankato, MN - Mary Ann Bensch, age 95, of Mankato, MN died on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at New Perspectives Assisted Living Facility in Mankato. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Woodland Hills Funeral Chapel in Mankato. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Woodland Hills Memorial Park Indoor Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Blue Earth Nicolett County Humane Society (BENCHS).

Mary Ann was born May 29, 1929 in Thornton, IA to Elmer and Anna (Sondergaard) Christensen. She graduated from Thornton High School in 1946 and received an Associate Degree in Education from Buena Vista University in 1948 where she also played on the women's basketball team. She taught elementary school in the 1950s and married Robert (Bob) Bensch at the First Methodist Church in Thornton on one of the happiest days of her life, September 7, 1958. From Iowa to Arizona, and finally to Mankato in 1964 Bob and Mary Ann settled down to raise a family. Mary Ann returned to education and graduated from Mankato State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Education, and a Masters of Education in 1978. She taught Language Arts at Wilson Campus School from 1974 to 1976 where she enjoyed some of the most rewarding experiences of her professional career and made numerous lifelong friends.

Mary Ann was the Minnesota Vikings #1 fan and volunteered with Bob for many years as a gatekeeper at the Vikings training camps. She also enjoyed making ceramic figurines and giving them away as gifts, holiday decorating, playing with paper dolls as a kid, and teaching Sunday School and Bible School as a youth.

She belonged to the League of Women Voters, Red Hat Society, President of Delta Vi Beat while at Buena Vista University; and President of local chapter of American Association of University Women.

Mary Ann is survived by her sister Betty Gerencser of Dallas, TX, son Jeff (Ranelle) Bensch of Fair Oaks, CA; daughters, Jackie Way of Dumfries, VA, Julie (Tom) Frederick of Mankato, MN, Jennifer Bensch of New York, NY; grandchildren, Jesse Way of Dumfries, VA, James (Stepanie) Way of Roseville, MN, Jace Bensch of Sacramento, CA, Lauren Bensch of San Antonio, TX, Kayla (Sam) Hicok of Castel Rock, CO, Marissa Frederick (Jake Mellema) of Maple Grove, MN; great grandchildren, Jonah, Margot and Lucas Way, and Frederick and Henry Hicok.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Bensch, grandson, Nicholas Frederick; son-in-law, John Way; brother Don Christensen, twin brother Jack Christensen, brother and sister-in-law Wayne and Mary Christensen, and brother-in-law John Gerencser.