Maria Bencze

Maria Bencze was born November 13, 1922 and went home to be with the Lord on June 17, 2015. A Memorial Service will be held on June 27th, 10 a.m. at Victory Fellowship, 4200 S. Acoma Street, Englewood, CO 80110. Maria was born in Germany. Second of six children; Joseph (aka Zeppi), Anni, Helga, Hildegard and Theresa (aka Resi). As a young girl she worked on the US military base in Germany. In 1948 Maria came to America to build a new life for herself and daughter, Anna Maria. When Maria first came to the States she lived in Prior, OK. Maria improved her English by challenging herself with crossword puzzles and studying the dictionary. From there they transferred to Colorado Springs, CO. Leaving Colorado Springs in 1955, she moved to Dolores, CO. Bonnie was born in 1957. Eighteen years later (1975) Maria and Bonnie moved to the Denver area to be near Anna Maria and her family. In 1979 Maria married Alexander Bencze, Jr. and continued to live in the Englewood area. Over the course of Maria’s life she worked many jobs. After the birth of her first daughter, in Germany, the government gave her the choice to work at the local newspaper or an ammunition plant. She chose the local newspaper. Following the newspaper, she worked at the American Military Commissary. After coming to the States, Maria sold Wearever cookware door to door and worked for a dry cleaning company. On the ranch in Dolores, she cooked, gardened, fed ranch hands and took care of Bonnie. In Cortez, she then began working split shifts in housekeeping at the local hospital and worked her way up to become the head of purchasing. In Denver, she worked with her son-in-law, Ottis Sword at a boarding house named Sheridan Arms. She moved on to work for a company that did book binding, and finally became a secretary for Avatrac, which later was renamed Developmental Pathways. Amazingly, she worked there until she retired at the age of 80! Maria cherished her family, second only to the LORD. She is survived by her husband Alexander Bencze, Jr, and by two daughters, Anna Sword-Myers (Ivan Myers), and Bonnie Nielson (Stan Hochstedler). Stepson Alex Ray Bencze (Gloria). Four grandchildren, John Sword, Lisa Inhulsen (Brad) and Alexis and Julia Bencze. Two great grandchildren, Bradley and Kaylee Inhulsen. Extended family includes Ivan’s children, Darwin (Tina), Doug (Stacie), Kay (Russ) and Charles. Ivan’s side gave Maria many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Family on the Nielson side are too numerous to mention. However, the love sent to her from Kathy, Ray, Bobby, Sylvia, and others was so deeply appreciated. Maria’s faith manifested itself in many ways. Her family remembers her as an amazing prayer warrior, and has memories of her reading her Bible using a magnifying viewer until she could no longer see. One of her favorites Bible passages was: Psalms 91 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be donated to the Champa House “In Memory of Maria Bencze”. Online donations can be made at: https://www.denverrescuemission.org/donate If sending a check make payable to: Denver Rescue Mission P.O. Box 5206 Denver, CO 80217 PLEASE NOTE: on the memo line or comment section, please add “Maria Bencze” or “In Memory of Maria Bencze”.