When Henrietta was old enough to seek work, she joined a cousin to work in the Omaha meat packing plants where she met her husband to be Albert "Bob" Benak. Their first date was at the roller-skating rink near Leavenworth street. After a short courtship Bob was drafted into WWII in the 86th infantry division Blackhawks. They declared their love and when he went overseas, they held a courtship over letters. She joined the women working towards the war effort by becoming a worker at the Martin Bomber plant. At 4 '11' she was the perfect size to fit into the B-60s wings to help assemble them with the other women dubbed as "Rosie the Riveters". Once Bob came back from the war they started a family that included Janis, Diane, Rosanne, Albert, and David.
Henrietta is the grandmother of Amy, Wendy, Seth, Heidi, Hannah, Ashlee, Josie, Nathan, Ben and Kyle. Her great grandchildren are Morgon, Bailey, Jaslyn, Ryland, Kemper, Luke, Tallis, Maddy, Ryker, Keegan, and Hendrixx. To date she has one great great grandchild Kaison.
Henrietta was an avid country line dancer and Husker fan. She loved fishing with her family, especially her father Stan. She was an excellent seamstress who sewed for family members from wedding dresses to prom formals.
She loved gardening and was especially proud of her irises. Her children loved making dolls from her Hollyhock flowers. Halloween was one of her favorite holidays dressing up with her sisters and competing in costume contests. Henrietta and her sister Vi often met at Village Inn where they sometimes managed a free meal (ask daughters for their secret!).
Henrietta was a member of the Pulaski Women Auxiliary Club. She and her sister Betty organized a memorial honoring Polish General Kazimierz Pulaski which is on display in Pulaski Park, South Omaha.
Henrietta and her sister Louise enjoyed restoring the Baptismal fountain in her parish, Saint Peter and Paul, where she has been a member for over 65 years.
Henrietta passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021 in Bellevue, Nebraska at the age of 96 years.
Henrietta is preceded in death by her parents Stanley and Monica Klatka; husband Albert "Bob" Benak; and sisters Viola Dambrosia and Louise Labedz.
She is survived by her children Janis (Richard) Crawford, Diane (David) Sczepaniak, Rosanne (Chuck) Newcomb, Albert Benak, and David Benak; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; sister Betty Satorie; and nieces, nephews, and other family.
The family welcomes those attending the visitation to dress in their Nebraska Husker themed clothes.
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