Vinal (Herr) Van Benthem

Vinal Van Benthem of Waupaca, WI, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. She was born in Gallup, NM on September 10, 1945 to the late Vincent and Alice (Epele) Herr. She and her family moved to Chicago, IL when she was 5 years old.

On January 8, 1966 she married Jack Van Benthem. In 2000 she and her husband moved from Chicago to Waupaca, WI.  A graduate of DePaul University (MPS), she joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1987.  Vinal was an author, poet and spiritual director.  She served for several years as Pastoral Associate/Director of Liturgy in Central Wisconsin.

Vinal was preceded in death by her husband, Jack in 2014, and her brother Joseph ‘Riley’ Farmer in 2023.  She is survived by her children: Margo (Kenneth) Lambert of Waupaca, WI; Jon (Heather) Van Benthem of Berthoud, CO; her dear friend, Thomas Aldworth; cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca, WI. Friends and family may call on Saturday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Waupaca Area Food Pantry or Foundations for Living.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vinal (Herr) Van Benthem, please visit our floral store.