Passed away on Dec 15, 2009

Mary L. Beneventi, age 79, of Black River Falls died Tuesday, December 15, 2009 in her home under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice. Mary Louise Ragusi was born on October 24, 1930 in Evanston, IL to Pasquale and Teresa Marie (DeRose) Ragusi. She was raised in Northfield, IL. She married Frank Anthony Beneventi in 1948 and they were formerly married for 36 years. Mary had been employed in quality control at Sara Lee of Deerfield, IL. She had lived in Reno, NV for 31 years. For the past 3 years, she has lived at Black River Falls where she made her home with her daughter, Deborah and William Volk and her granddaughter, Xena and Larry Olson. She was a devout member of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mary enjoyed cooking Italian style, playing Scrabble with her family, and reading the Bible. She enjoyed visits from her loving grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially granddaughters Xena Olson, Brandy Beneventi (lives in Arizona), and Monica (Adam) Lies and her three sons (great grandsons), and great granddaughters, Mia and Emily. Survivors include her children, Deborah (William) Volk of Black River Falls Greg (Angie) Beneventi of Cottonwood, AZ, Cindy (Tim) Klechak of Sedona, AZ, and Sandra (Keith) LeBlanc of Salem, WI; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Ann (Bjoron) Hestad of Northfield, IL; a brother, William (Ann) Ragusi of Northbrook, IL; and her constant companion, her little dachshund, “Baby.” She was preceded in death by her parents, Pasquale and Teresa Marie Ragusi; and 2 sisters, Edi Thompson and Frances Evangelista. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no local funeral services. Her cremated remains will be buried with her mother and father in the family plot in All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL. The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.