Wilma Benintendi

Wilma L. Benintendi passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, September 22, 2012, with family surrounding her. Wilma was born March 30, 1922, to Bessie L. Looper and William D. Mein in Worland, Wyoming. She was raised in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, by her beloved grandmother Florence Stout Wells, where she attended school and graduated in May of 1940. She left Ten Sleep and moved to Laramie. Her first job was a waitress, where she was hired because her fast and accurate typing skills enabled her to type menus. In 1944, she attended the Emily Griffith School of Opportunity to study business in Denver, Colorado. In 1945, she went to work for the Marine Corp Civil Service in San Francisco. Wilma married the love of her life, Ralph (Copper) Benintendi, in 1948 in Laramie, Wyoming. Two daughters were born from this marriage, Randie Lee and Cindy Lou. Wilma and Ralph later divorced but remained lifelong friends. In 1960, Wilma achieved her goal of becoming a teacher when she graduated with high honors with a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Her childhood dream came true when she began teaching first grade at Stanton Elementary School in Laramie, Wyoming the following fall. In 1967, Wilma accepted an instructor position in the Department of Education at Idaho State University in Pocatello, where her areas of expertise were reading and children's literature. She retired in 1984 as Associate Professor Emeritus of Education. On March 30, 1990, she married Edwin D. McCasland in Carson City, Nevada. Wilma was a lifetime member of Phi Kappa Phi honorary professional society and also Delta Kappa Gamma. She served in leadership positions in numerous civic organizations and volunteered her musical talents to entertain senior citizens and veterans. She was a member of the Southern Baptist Church. Wilma was an avid gardener, talented musician, and beautiful seamstress. Her desire to enjoy beautiful scenery took her to many wonderful destinations and the mountains that she loved. She also enjoyed reading and the company of her dogs and cats. Numerous experiences influenced Wilma's desire to help those in need and the disadvantaged in keeping with the biblical principle, "As you do to the least of these, so you do to me." She influenced the lives of many young people and strived to instill a love for learning, which continues to live on today. Wilma was preceded in death by her former husband and lifelong friend Ralph R. Benintendi, her mother Bessie and step-father James D. Johnson, and her beloved grandmother Gogga. She is survived by: her spouse Edwin McCasland, daughters Randie (Ed) Barthlome, Littleton, Colorado and Cindy (Tom) Magelky, Thermopolis, Wyoming; granddaughters Sherri Wallace of Pocatello, Lori B! of Boise, Michelle (Todd) Dawson of Billings, Montana, Jenifer (Jeff) Grimm of Thermopolis, Wyoming, and Stefanie Ireland of Thermopolis; grandsons Thomas Vigil of Reno, Nevada and Greg Barthlome of Aurora, Colorado, and step grandson Anton Magelky of Thermopolis, along with thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Cards and expressions of condolences may be sent to: Cindy Magelky at 108 Circle Drive, Thermopolis, WY 82443. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Wilma's name to the Idaho State University College of Education general scholarship fund. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2012, at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.