Obituary of Elaine Benten Crowell

Elaine Benten Crowell peacefully passed away Thursday, October 16, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 92. She was born June 2, 1922 in Hawarden, Iowa, to Jack and Opal Armstrong and grew up on the family farm. Elaine was inducted into the National Honor Society and won the Iowa State Debate Championship during her High School years. After graduation, she was a student at the University of Iowa in the School of Nursing. There she met her husband Luke Benten who joined the Army Air Corps during WWII. Elaine resided throughout the Midwest in Hawarden & Sioux City Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Springfield, Missouri while raising two sons and two daughters. Her husband Luke passed away in 1967. Elaine devoted herself to raising her children with love and security; instilling in them by her example, a strong commitment to God, Family, and Community. She met and married Roy Crowell of Osage Beach, Missouri adding four more loving sons to her household. Elaine�s sacrifice for and support of her larger family are enduring examples of a committed wife and mother whose love was unconditional. A long time member of Riverview Baptist Church in Osage Beach, Elaine taught Sunday school into her 80�s. She loved playing bridge and, as an active member of Lake Valley Country Club, truly enjoyed a good round of golf. Elaine was an avid volunteer in all her communities and a member of P.E.O. for 63 years. Elaine and Roy traveled often and spent the winter months on a golf course in Arizona. Roy passed away in 1992. Elaine continued to travel as long as she could enjoying cruises and overseas trips with her daughters before moving to the Parc Provence Alzheimer�s care facility in St. Louis. Elaine is survived by her children John Benten, Anne Benten (Monte Johnson), Beth Benten-Burns (Rex), Mark Benten(Peggy), Darrell Crowell(Elaine), Dean Crowell, Ray Crowell(Jennie), and the family of the late Jack Crowell(JoAnn), fifteen grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.