Marguerite Lee Bensch

Marguerite Lee Bensch, fondly known as Rita, 85, longtime resident of Swartz Creek, passed away on February 12, 2026, at The Brook of West Branch Retirement Community. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Saint Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, in Swartz Creek, MI, with Father Louis Ekka officiating. Burial will take place in the Saint Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 2:00-8:00 PM with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM at Sharp Funeral Home, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473. There will also be visitation on Thursday from 10:00 AM until time of the Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Saint Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or to the LuMind IDSC Foundation.

Rita was born on February 14, 1940, to George and Neva (Quigley) Gilmore in Flint, MI. She was a 1958 graduate of Holy Redeemer High School. On June 24, 1961, she married Robert G. Bensch in Swartz Creek, and they enjoyed 58 wonderful years together raising a beautiful family. Rita cherished her role and was a devoted mother to her six children, through her care and support of their academics and activities growing up. Later, she went to work part-time as a secretary at Michigan Community Services, a job that she loved for many years until she retired in 2002. Upon retirement she was able to continue her cherished role as devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was an active member of Saint Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church for over 80 years, a fact of which she was very proud. She was a dedicated volunteer serving in many roles at the church while her children attended school and after. Rita was a devout catholic, her faith was important to her. Attending mass and praying the Rosary were her top priorities.

Rita loved playing board games and cards. She enjoyed trips to the casino and especially loved her trips to Las Vegas with her sister Evelyn for many years. For 50 years she and her dearest friends met monthly for “Card Club” to play pinochle and formed life long friendships. She loved her local Michigan sports teams and was the family and community historian. If you needed to know anything about a family member, the Catholic faith or the local community, Rita had the answer.

For 65 years Lake Saint Helen held a special place in her heart. She cherished the time spent with family there on weekends and summer vacations. She and Robert especially loved spending their retirement years Up North at their cottage.

Rita is survived by her children: Catherine Taylor (Bradley), Christine DeSilva (Gregory), Michael Bensch (Mikako), Karen Willour (Christopher), Bethany Payne (David), Jennifer Dikos (Charles); grandchildren, Erica, Emily, Elisa, Mary Grace, Nicholas, Ethan, Natalie,Gregory, Kenneth, Kyle, Nathan, Rebecca, Donovan, Dawson, Michael and Meghan; great grandchildren: Brock, Leo, Elerai, Ferris, Adeline, Carter and Ellianna; her sister Evelyn Abernethy (Scott) and sister-in-laws Irene Frances Motzer and Karen Albee, as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert G. Bensch, two brothers John Gilmore and Dr. George Gilmore, daughter-in-law Martha Bensch and sister-in-laws Marilyn Polidan and Janis King.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Judy Vaughn for her selfless love and care.

The family would also like to thank the caregivers at My Michigan Medical Center, The Brook and Compassus Hospice all of West Branch for their loving care in her final days.

Online condolences can be given at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Her funeral mass can be streamed via the Saint Mary Queen of Angels Facebook page.