Anna May (Beninga) Oelfke

Obituary

Anna May Beninga Oelfke was born on September 12, 1936, in Marietta, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Henry R. and Fern (Bradley) Beninga. Anna May was baptized on October 25, 1936, and confirmed in June of 1950, both at the First Congregational Church in Marietta. On June 15, 1956, she received Reaffirmation of her Confirmation at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Minnesota, where she was a lifetime member thereafter. Anna May’s confirmation verse was John 14:23.

Anna May received all 12 years of her schooling at the Marietta Public Schools, graduating in 1954. She then attended the Minnesota School of Business and Laboratory Technique, graduating in June of 1955 with training in Laboratory, X-Ray, and business office.

On October 14, 1956, Anna May married Kenneth Oelfke at the First Congregational Church in Marietta. They made their home in Hamburg and enjoyed 54 years of marriage before Kenneth passed away on January 28, 2011. Together they enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending many winters in Texas.

Anna May worked at medical clinics in Glencoe, MN, Dawson, MN, Madison, MN, and Arlington, MN, until 1963, when she joined the staff of the State Bank of Hamburg. She retired from the bank in December of 1998.

Anna May was a willing volunteer, serving on the Carver County United Fund, Norwood Clinic Board, Hamburg Happy Homemakers, Hamburg Rescue/First Responders, Meals on Wheels, Hamburg Lions, and Emanuel LWML.

In 2013, Anna May moved to Norwood Young America, living first at the Oak Grove Senior Living Residence and then at The Harbor at Peace Village. She enjoyed playing cards as well as many other activities provided to the residents there.

On June 24, 2024, Anna May entered her eternal rest at GlenFields Living With Care in Glencoe at the age of 87 years. Blessed be her memory.

Anna May was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Oelfke; father and mother, Henry and Fern Beninga; stepfather, Ralph Clark; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Martha Oelfke; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Willard and Ellen Bergmann, Harold and Esther Michaletz, Harold and Norma Oelfke, Gilbert Oelfke, Howard and Marlene Oelfke; stepbrothers and stepsisters, Donald Clark, Shirley and James Sampson.

Anna May is survived by her sister-in-law, Stella Oelfke; stepbrothers and stepsisters, Leona Clark, Betty and Charles Stolte, and James and Catherine Clark; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.