Cynthia Benner

Cynthia Marie Tomten arrived in Beloit, Wisconsin on August 4, 1958, when she blessed the lives of Donald Tomten and Margaret Genevieve Warner Tomten (Don and Jenny). She soon traveled to Milton Wisconsin where she met her brother Bob and was joined by Sister Debbie and Brother Rick all of whom continue to live in Wisconsin. She attended a parochial school nearby until attending Milton High School where she met her lifelong friends, Patricia Hensel (Spotten) and Cyndi Krachey (Meyer). While in high school, Cindy participated in gymnastics but her true enthusiasm was for cheerleading. She placed second in the state of Wisconsin in a cheerleading contest prior to her senior year. During this time she became a diehard Green Bay Packers fan, a true cheese-head in her own words. Soon after graduation, she met a young Air Force Cadet, Joseph Benner, who would become her husband and the father of her two children, Joseph and Margaret Theresa (Joe and Terri). Unfortunately she was widowed by the age of thirty. She then devoted herself to raising her children and doing for them the best that she could. Having raised her children, she found a true love in Ted Rupp with whom she spent the last 13 years living in Idaho. During their years together she was a loving and doting grandmother who loved spending time with her grandchildren KayLynn, Braeden and Bridget . Many hours were filled with her lifelong love of the outdoors - camping, hiking, bicycling and cooking. A favorite challenge was to prepare a delicious and innovative dinner, whether it was in her kitchen at home or over a campfire. Cindy and Ted had many memorable hikes and bike rides during the time they spent together. During her later years, Cindy courageously battled a painful and debilitating disease that slowly took her ability to do the things that she loved. During this time she was accompanied by her close family and friends and her two adored dogs, Molly and Cody. About noon on April 17, 2013, Cindy set out on her journey to meet those who had gone before on the path that we all must follow. May each of us travel that path with the humility and generosity that she showed throughout her life. The family ask that donations be made in her name to Hospice of North Idaho in recognition of the care she received.