Jennifer Dawn Forbes-Benishek

Jennifer Dawn Forbes-Benishek lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, February 11th 2024. She was 66 years young.

Jennifer was born on September 26th, 1957 in Milwaukee WI to Vernon and Ruth Forbes. She loved playing with her siblings, ice skating with her father, and helping out her mother any way she could. Jennifer’s school age years were spent here in Antigo Wi. Many adventures and mischief were had with her dear friends along Clermont street.

Jennifer graduated from Antigo High School in 1975. She graduated from North Central Technical College in 1988 as a certified Sign Language Interpreter. Over the years she worked with many deaf people in many locations, but she loved working with deaf students. She helped students from kindergarten into college.

Jennifer was all about family. She was the most amazing mother to my sister and myself. Working in education, our summers were filled with countless trips to a lake to swim, bike rides, garage sale-ing, and walks. She did hundreds of craft projects with us over the years, read thousands of books to us, and could often be heard singing a song, sometimes to our utter embarrassment. Jennifer went to all of my sister and my games, performances, concerts, and competitions. She was always supportive of our dreams and goals, was a shoulder to cry on, and a voice of logic when needed.

Jennifer loved animals and the outdoors. You could normally find her taking her dogs for a walk around the property, gardening, or just sitting outside enjoying all of nature’s blessings. She was an avid reader, at the public library every Saturday. She listened to many audio books over the years on her commutes to Crandon, Elcho, Rhinelander, and Antigo.

My mom loved to travel. On her way to see her grandchildren she would often get delayed due to the many unplanned stops she would make if she saw something neat or unexpected that she wanted to check out. Her grandchildren were always excited when their Gramster came to visit.

My mom joined her parents, Vernon Henry Forbes and Ruth Elaine Sterc in Heaven. Her brother, Mike (Marilyn) Forbes, sister Linda Ourada, brother Shawn Forbes, and sister-in-law Toni (Jim) Thomas are remembering her fondly. Myself, Emily (Mat) Owen, and my sister Laura Benishek, along with our father, mom’s husband John Benishek, will miss her dearly. Her two grandchildren, Fiona & Wesley, are sad they will not get to spend more time with her. My mom’s three nieces, four nephews, seven great nieces, and five great nephews wish they would have gotten to make more memories with her. My mom’s cat and my two dogs are mourning her loss as well.

Visitation and memorial services will be held at the Strasser-Roller Funeral Home in Antigo WI on Monday, February 19th, 2024. Visitation will be from 2:30 - 5:30 pm with her memorial service starting at 5:30 pm. My mom’s favorite colors were blue and green so we ask you to wear those colors in her honor.

I love you mom, and while I will miss you dearly, I am happy you are no longer in pain and are resting peacefully.

Emily (Benishek) Owen