Patricia Jakso Benton

Patricia Jakso Benton, a career educator and family anchor, passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021. Pat was born May 31, 1950 in Denison, Iowa to Lucille and John Jakso and grew up in the nearby town of Schleswig, Iowa. She received her B.S. degree in Elementary Education at the University of South Dakota, where she formed lifelong bonds with her Chi Omega sisters. Later she earned an M.S. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and finally a license from the University of New Mexico as an Educational Diagnostician. She began her teaching career in Coolidge, Arizona, where she met and married a young officer at nearby Williams Air Force base, Dan Benton, after year teaching in Melbourne, Australia. For the next 23 years she taught wherever the Air Force sent them; California, Texas, Florida, Maryland, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Virginia. When Dan retired in 2001, they returned to New Mexico where she completed her career with Albuquerque Public Schools. Her favorite pastimes included reading, swimming, gardening, yoga, walking, and most of all, traveling to National Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and Monuments. She was active with the Friends of the Sandia Mountains, New Mexico SiteWatch, and the Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico. She is survived by her husband, Colonel Dan Benton, USAF (ret.), her brother Charles Jakso, (Alice), her nephew Staff Sergeant Jeff Jakso, USA, (Mary Alice), and her nephew Ken Jakso (Scalla). She will be greatly missed by Dan's family as well, where she was an instant hit so many years ago. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Schleswig Public Library, 202 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 306, Schleswig, IA 51461. Please visit our online guestbook for Patricia at

www.FrenchFunerals.com.

Published by Albuquerque Journal on Sep. 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Patricia Benton

7 Entries

Ross Schneider

September 5, 2024

We continue with the very fond memories of Pat, particularly the pleasant interactions when she frequently passed by the house, either departing on a walk or arriving home from one, .....She and her husband Dan would also regularly attend our annual Christmas parties, and it was exceptionally enjoyable to converse with her on all those occasions, including festive assemblies at the residence of other nearby neighbors..... We will always remember and miss Pat as a good friend and neighbor.

Judy Messer Bauer

March 6, 2023

Pat and I were room-mates our freshman year of college...we had a shared love of food! Sometimes in the afternoon we'd share a package of Hostess snowballs from the dorm's vending machine. Today I'm having memories of Pat as I make her "Aunt Mabel's 5 Hour Beef Stew"..

Fred Hindel

October 21, 2021

Gonna miss the talks, Pat.

I share my life with a cat who talks a lot but doesn't listen.
So I'd walk across the street for a short visit with Dan and Pat.
Pat always listened, and a short visit might last an hour.

I'd visit when they were away on one of there many outdoor
adventures. I'd pick up mail and water plants 'til they got back.
And when they did, they'd say "thanks" with a little token of
appreciation. Most often, something whimsical, droll, quirky.
Something I knew Pat enjoyed finding and selecting for my
amusement and delight.

Yes, I miss the conversations. But in every room in my house
I encounter one of those delightful, carefully selected items
that remind me of Pat who will remain a part of my life.

Thank you good neighbor and dear friend.

Fred

John & Roberta Ray

September 14, 2021

Pat we miss you. Roberta and I had the pleasure of knowing Dan and Pat for many years. The times we spend with them have always been a delight. Pat had such a kind way about her that she won the hearts of lots of friends - she always knew what to say to make people feel better about themselves in hard times and what not to say to hurt anyone's feeling. I had the pleasure of hiking with Dan and Pat up to the top of Mt. Whitney and across Desolation Wilderness just west of Lake Tahoe. Even nature knew Pat was special - once while visiting the Monarch Butterflies in Santa Cruz a monarch landed on her nose and paused long enough for a picture. What a wonderful picture of Pat smiling with a butterfly on her nose. Pat, we wish we had more time with you to build more memories.

Patterson Family

September 12, 2021

Pat was an instant friend and brought much Joy and love to our whole family!
Aloha Kakou Pat!

Ross Schneider

September 12, 2021

Suzanne and I met Pat as new neighbors in 2012, upon our arrival to the neighborhood. We actually met her and her husband Dan at another neighbor's Christmas welcoming party and immediately hit it off, thereby commencing a great neighborly and friendly relationship since that time. Pat and Dan always attended our own subsequent neighborhood Christmas parties, along with other social occasions as well, and she was always a delight to interact with. We always considered Pat to be very interesting, and a wonderful neighbor and friend. We are fortunate to have known Pat, and we shall truly miss her.

Eva Struchen

September 11, 2021

Pat and I met when she was a young woman in college. We became acquainted again in later years, and we loved meeting her and Dan in Santa Fe for a day of walking and visiting. Pat was a genuine person and always fun to be around. My heart is saddened by her loss.

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