Geraldine A. (Scaccia) Benzing
Sep 30, 2025Age 83. Of Grand Island. Passed away peacefully September 30. She was born February 5, 1942 in Cleveland, OH, the daughter of the late Andrew and G. Mae Scaccia. Jeri grew up in Westfield, graduated in 1959 and went to Bryant and Stratton College. She had been employed by Occidental Chemical as an administrative assistant on Grand Island for many years before retiring. She enjoyed crocheting, playing Bingo, doing jigsaw puzzles, making molded chocolates and book marks. Geraldine most especially loved spending time with her family and friends. Jeri was a member of the Arthritis Foundation for several years, as well as a member of the Grand Island Historical Society. She is survived by her daughter Nicole (Robert) Agnello of Grand Island, her brother Sandy (Sharon) Scaccia of Mequon, Wisconsin and The Villages, Florida and her grandsons Robert III and Joshua Agnello of Grand Island. Family and friends may call Saturday from 10-12 with a Funeral Service at noon at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Rd. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association in Geraldine's memory.
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Daniel G. Pearson
Sep 25, 2025Pearson, Daniel G., September 25, 2025, of Grand Island. Husband of Diane (nee Sarow) Pearson. Father of Kristin, Daniel and Kelly Pearson. Grandfather of Kelsey and Daniel McGill, Daniel, Nathan, Linda Grace and Jack Pearson. Also survived by 2 great granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call Thursday 4-7 PM followed by Military Honors Thursday at 7 PM at the Kaiser Funeral Home 1950 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the SPCA or the Wounded Warrior Project.
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Joan M. Morgan Sumner
Sep 22, 2025Sumner, Joan M. Morgan, September 22, 2025, of Grand Island. Mother of Kenneth (Katherine) Morgan, Judith Merritts, James (Roxanne) Morgan and the late Marlene Moore. Also survived by 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Daughter of the late Arthur and Molly (nee Nichols) Hurd. Sister of the late Wilbur Hurd, Louise Doty, Lois Luther, Wayne, Dwayne and Yvonne Hurd. Friends may call Saturday 10AM - 12PM followed by funeral services Saturday at 12 PM at the Kaiser Funeral Home 1950 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island.
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Virginia E. "Ginny" Dietrich (nee Hellmig)
Sep 11, 2025Age 86. Wife of Richard Dietrich. Mother of David (Hoa) Dietrich, Gregory Dietrich, Steven (April) Dietrich, Barbara (Darek) Stochmialek and Elizabeth (Dana) Lowe. Devoted Grandmother of 7. Sister of the late Ruth (late Carl) Heim. Maker. Traveler. Worker. Virginia tackled new challenges with zest, whether it was cooking, gardening, canning, sewing costumes, cake decorating, painting, playing piano, crafting personalized Valentine hearts from melted Cadbury chocolate, or pursuing other creative endeavors. Virginia and family explored parks, beaches, cities, and museums in the area bordered by the triangle from Chicago to Maine to the Florida Everglades. We headed down the road with the travel trailer, armed with AAA vacation guides and a purse filled with grapes and brownies. In later years, she enjoyed visiting Alaska, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Mexico, and Australia. Virginia traveled in her mind as well, from playing Canasta to puzzling out “cozy mysteries,” to reading, praying, and studying to join the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, professing her final promises in 2023. Virginia found things that needed doing and did them. Her work included St. Stephen School HSA, GIHS PTSA (Talking GRAND buttons, Mother’s Day Silk Flower Sale), founding the St. Stephen Parish Library, being active in the ALPHA Program, Mission, Charismatic Prayer Group, Bereavement Committee, and Eucharistic Adoration. She was a Catechist, Eucharistic Minister, and Music Minister for services at the Nursing Home and with her Carmelite order. We have all been blessed to experience her talents, determination and love as Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, and Friend. Friends may call Friday, September 19th from 4-7pm at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 20th at 10am at St. Stephens Church, 2100 Baseline Road.
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Lawrence M. "Butch" Backlund Jr.
Sep 02, 2025Backlund, Lawrence M. Jr. (Butch) September 2, 2025, of Grand Island. Husband of 53 years of Barbara Backlund. Father of Robert (Aerika) and David (Beth) Backlund and Elizabeth (Jeff) Wansart. Grandfather of Brielle, Hayden, Gabriel, Jeffrey, Sophia, Matthew and Jack. Great grandfather of Axel. Brother of William (Cathy) and the late George Backlund. Friends may call Thursday 4-8 PM at the Kaiser Funeral Home 1950 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island where funeral services will be held Friday at 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
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