Bessie Lilley

Bessie Irene (Benfer) Lilley, age 95, of Longford, passed away Monday, October 4th, 2021, at the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor in Clay Center, KS.

Bessie was born on February 28th, 1926, to Edwin Denton and Christina Elizabeth (Bach) Benfer. On a Sunday afternoon January 28, 1945, Bessie Irene Benfer married Charles Edward Lilley in the Benfer home east of Longford, he preceded her in death on November 12, 2019. To this union they had two sons, Eugene & Dennis.

Bessie attended Longford Grade School and graduated from Longford High School with the Class of 1943. She was a member of the Longford American Legion Auxiliary and the Longford United Methodist Church.

Bessie’s hobbies were enjoying the outdoors with gardening and growing a variety of flowers. She loved to bake, especially homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and pies.  Other interests included crocheting and sewing which included making matching dresses for the granddaughters when they were small. She was a farmer’s wife on the same farm for 68 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a son Dennis, sisters Mary Steenbock, Mina Kobetich and brothers John Benfer and Henry Benfer

She is survived by her son Eugene and wife Virginia, Longford, KS, daughter in law Jean Lilley, SC

7 grandchildren: Debra and husband Brian Moon, Longford, KS; Paula and husband Gerald Sheridan, Hutchinson, KS; Steven and wife Pam Lilley, Clay Center, KS. Daniel, Timothy, David and James Lilley of South Carolina.

6 great grandchildren, Cody (Haley) Moon, Salina, KS; Dylan Moon, Hays, KS; Trent Sheridan, Hutchinson, KS; Stephanie Lilley, Manhattan KS; Natalie and Adam Lilley, SC; 3 step great grandchildren, Nicholas Sheridan, of Hutchinson, KS; Mindy Sheridan, Hutchinson, KS; and Courtney (Phillip) Snyder, Manhattan, KS; 1 step great great granddaughter Maya Sheridan, Hutchinson, KS.

Sister Martha VanScoyoc of El Dorado KS.

Brother-in-law Kenneth and wife Dorothy Lilley of Silver Lake

Many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral home.

Respect calls will be Monday, October 11th, 2021, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established for Meadowlark Hospice and Clay Center Relay for Life in care of the funeral home.

The services for Bessie will Livestream at 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 12 at https://www.facebook.com/nsrfuneralhome/live