Sandra D. Benca was born February 12th 1954 in Chicago Illinois to Betty Jane (Spies) Zook and Jerome Anthony Zook. She was the oldest girl in a large family and she quickly became  like a second mother to her brothers and sisters. Her life goal was always to be a mother.  This goal was met and would continue throughout her life as she cared for not only her children, but her siblings, nieces, nephews and even strangers. Everyone knew that if they had no place to go or nothing to eat, they would have both as long as Sandi was around. Sandi met her soul mate when she was 14 years old. They were married on June 5th 1971. With their love Sandi and Ron celebrate a marriage that lasted over 55 years and still lives today.

Sandi was a fashion icon. Whether in the discos of 70's Chicago, the autobahn of Germany or a bingo tent in Cisne Illinois, she took pride in representing her best self thru her sense of style.

She was an artist of life, making homemade Halloween costumes, drawing, painting and writing poetry. Expressing herself artistically in her everyday life was something she took pride in.

She loved animals, especially her Chihuahuas.   In seemingly ever-growing numbers they were an integral part of her. If you saw Sandi, you saw at least one of them.

Sandi was preceded in death by her Mother Betty Jane Zook, father Jerome Anthony Zook, son-in-law Scott Kellerhals, 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

She is survived by her husband Ronald J. Benca Sr. Her children, Ronald J. Benca III, Gary Benca, Jenna (Marc) Amore, Roger Benca (Ashleigh Coartney), Christina Kellerhals.  Grandchildren, Bethany Benca, Emily Benca, Riley Benca, Sadie (Nathan) Stanula, Ryne Benca, Dominic Amore(Haley Tran), Mason Amore, Ashlan Rowen Benca, Destiny (Noah)Kellerhals-DeLano, E.J. Kellerhals, 3 Great-Grandchildren, brother Jerome (Linda) Zook sister Betty Reid and her chosen family Tyger McClure.

Visitation will be on Sunday March 8th from 4pm to 7pm at Baier Family Funeral Services in Paxton Illinois. Private burial to follow.