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Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch 1930 - 2017

Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch of Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, California United States was born on October 11, 1930 in Seattle, King County, WA to George Benning and Eileen Constance (Tasker) Benning. She married Frank Kroetch on March 26, 1949 in Bellingham, Whatcom County and they later divorced in July 1968 in Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho. They had children Kathleen Rae (Kroetch) Pinna and Pam (Kroetch) Marks. She married Jack Wendell Vandever on November 28, 1969 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California and they later divorced in 1974 in San Jose, Santa Clara County. Marian Kroetch died at age 86 years old on September 10, 2017 at White Blossom Care Center in San Jose, Santa Clara County, and was buried in October 2017 at Ashes scattered in San Gregorio Beach.

Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch
Joyce Vandever, Grandma Joyce, M. Joyce Vandever, Joyce Kroetch, Joyce Benning
Name
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Valley Village Retirement Center in Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, California United States
Last residence
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October 11, 1930
Seattle, King County, Washington, United States
Birth
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September 10, 2017
White Blossom Care Center in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, United States
Death
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Female
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Updated: January 18, 2025
Biography ID: 447943 What's this
Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch Marian Kroetch (1930 - 2017)
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Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch's History: 1930 - 2017

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  • Introduction

    Joyce Vandever (as she was known in her later years) was a loving mother of two daughters Kathleen Rae (Kroetch) Pinna & Pam (Kroetch) Marks who she had with Frank Kroetch, and grandma to two grandchildren Daniel J Pinna & Layne. Joyce had a half-sister, Lois (Benning) Ewen, the product of her father's first marriage. She also had a step-brother, Charles Henry Barrett Jr., from her mother's second marriage to Charles Henry 'Heinie' Barrett Sr. She had many friends and relatives in California, Washington state, England and Wales. Her best childhood and lifelong closest friend was Beverly Clarice (Washington) Scoffone in Monte Sereno California. Joyce loved being a grandmother and spent countless weekends with her grandchildren. She lived in the California Hawaiian mobile home park at 3637 Snell Ave in San Jose for many years when it was an adult community. To hear Joyce describe herself see Joyce Vandever In Her Own Words
  • 10/11
    1930

    Birthday

    October 11, 1930
    Birthdate
    Seattle, King County, Washington United States
    Birthplace
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  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Caucasian: Primarily Welsh, German, and Dutch. Grandma was particularly partial to her Welsh/English roots, having frequently visited from the States during her life. She introduced the tradition of attending the Scottish Highland games to her children and grandchildren - even though she had no Scottish ancestry, she was partial to Scotland (and Scottish men!). Note: So that may explain her immediate attraction to my father, Frank! Although he identified as German (probably because of his surname) for most of his life, his father was half Scottish and his mother was mainly Scottish. Mom married a Scottish man! - Kathy Maternal lines were Welsh, with most likely a small percent of English Paternal lines were English, German, Dutch

  • Nationality & Locations

    United States of America. Born in Seattle WA and raised in Portland OR and Bremerton Washington, she eventually settled in the California Bay Area. The last forty or so years she lived in San Jose California.

  • Early Life & Education

    Grade school in Portland OR and Bremerton WA, East Bremerton High School, and the University of Washington. Joyce graduated at age 17 from high school.

  • Religious Beliefs

    Nominally Baptist, because her father's family was Southern Baptist. But her mother was Church of England and attended the Episcopal Church in the United States. Joyce really didn't subscribe to any particular religion although she attended the Baptist Church when she was a child.

  • Military Service

    Joyce was not part of the military but she was raised in Bremerton Washington which had a military base (naval). During World War 2 the military would often launch hundreds of blimps to protect from possible air bombings. And because of the Naval nature of the area, and because her father was the President of the Chamber of Commerce during World War II, my grandfather and grandmother would often host dinner parties at their home for the local military men - including General Doolittle.

  • Professional Career

    Grandma held various secretarial roles over the years. I remember in the early - mid 1990's I was always amazed at how fast she could type! I was confused at her high WPM as computers didn't exist when she was working full time. She had learned how to type (without typos!) on a manual typewriter. She worked both in Emergency Services ( County Communications on Communication Hill) in San Jose, California and at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - the County hospital- where she was secretary to the Director of Finance and to the Medical Director of Mental Health - and where both of her daughters ended up working for a number of years as well. Joyce was highly respected from the janitors to doctors and the County board. A further note: When she was pregnant with me (her eldest), she worked at Gerber Foods, a local cannery, on the line. After I and my sister were born, she worked on the switchboard at San Jose Water Company. When we moved to Seattle for a few years, she worked as office help for a dentist and then when we moved back to Santa Clara County (Saratoga), she worked through Manpower, a temporary help agency. The majority of her professional life was spent in some capacity around the medical profession. When Joyce was in high school (Bremerton, WA) she worked in the local theater as an usher, and also volunteered as a Candy Striper at the local hospital. To her great dismay, she was assigned a patient by room number and when she got to the room, she discovered that it was her father. She didn't even know that her father was ill - and that it was terminal. The experience haunted her during her entire life. The medical profession seems to be a generational theme running through her maternal line. Joyce's Welsh grandmother, when she didn't get along with her stepmother, moved as a teen to London and worked "with the Sisters". Joyce’s mother, in her later life, worked as a vocational nurse at a nursing home in Seattle, a hospital in Seward Alaska, a hospital in Redwood City CA, and as a caretaker in Mesa, AZ. So Joyce followed suit? Joyce's eldest worked in the Public Health Dept. out of college, and off and on at a local hospital. Her younger daughter retired from the same County hospital.

  • Personal Life & Family

    She was always a very social person who treated everyone equally with respect. I remember she would volunteer at the San Jose History museum, and was active at her senior mobile home community, Cal Hawaiian off Snell Ave., in San Jose. Joyce remained life-long friends with most of her elementary/ high school friends, often visiting them in Bremerton or Seattle, WA. After her marriage to Frank Kroetch in 1949, she convinced Frank to leave Washington state and move to San Jose, CA, following in her elementary best-friend’s footsteps. Joyce inherited part of her love of music from her father who was self-taught jazz pianist that performed by himself or with bands wherever he lived. Growing up Joyce took piano lessons for at least 7 years, and she would tell us her father sat in another room and called out the correct note to play when she messed up. Joyce could play ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’, jazz, classical and contemporary tunes upon request. At Christmas, she always played Christmas songs and we would stand around and sing. When in high school, and at the University of Washington, Joyce performed and sang in numerous musicals that the schools produced. After having throat surgery, she gave up the stage…but still sang so well that as teenagers we asked her not to sing in public because people would stop and stare! Joyce’s grandmother, Mary Ann Jones Tasker, had been a singer in Wales, singing for the Prince of Wales (around 1890+) at Covent Gardens in London. Apparently, Joyce also inherited her grandmothers singing voice!
  • 09/10
    2017

    Death

    September 10, 2017
    Death date
    Natural causes. Her dementia led to numerous falls which hurt her physically over her last decade. She eventually stopped eating and passed away.
    Cause of death
    White Blossom Care Center in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California United States
    Death location
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  • 10/dd
    2017

    Gravesite & Burial

    October 2017
    Funeral date
    Ashes scattered in San Gregorio Beach, CA
    Burial location

  • Obituary

    Marian 'Joyce' Vandever passed away due to natural causes on September 10, 2017 at the White Blossom Care Center in San Jose, California. Joyce was born in Seattle, Washington to George and Eileen 'Connie' Tasker Benning. She attended schools in Bremerton, Washington where her father owned the local Chevy dealership. While attending the University of Washington, Joyce met her future husband, Frank Kroetch. After their marriage in 1949, they relocated to the Willow Glen area of San Jose, CA, where both their daughters were born. Joyce first worked as an operator at the San Jose Water works, and later spent her career working for Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Joyce served in the position as the secretary to the CFO for over 16 years, then retired 5 years later, while secretary to the head of the mental health division. Joyce loved traveling to the British Isles, taking road trips with her friends, attending plays and musicals, and spending time with her two grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by her husbands, Frank Kroetch and Jack Vandever; her sister, Lois Benning Ewen; and stepbrother, Charles H. Barrett. She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Pinna and Pam Marks (Neil); grandchildren, Daniel Pinna (Lisa) and Layne Marks-Jacobs; and numerous nieces and nephews. Marian “Joyce” Vandever San Jose, CA Oct. 11, 1930 to Sept. 10, 2017
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  • Did you know?
    Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch lived 12 years longer than the average family member when died at the age of 86.
    The average age of a Benning family member is 74.
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68 Memories, Stories & Photos about Marian

Connie D'Albert, Daniel Pinna, Joyce Kroetch
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
06/19/2011
Connie D'Albert, Daniel Pinna, Joyce Kroetch
Little Daniel Pinna with his great-grandmother Connie Tasker D'albert (left) and his grandmother, Joyce Benning Kroetch (on right).
Date & Place: in San Jose, California USA
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Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
411 favorites
10/11/2020
Happy Birthday, AncientFaces' mom and grandmom! Joyce Benning 10/11/1930 - 9/10/2017., here with her mother and her grandson, AncientFaces founder Daniel Pinna. You are loved.
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Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.4k+ favorites
10/22/2011
This is officially one of my favorite young Daniel photos :)
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Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
08/02/2024
Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch
Joyce at her granddaughter's college graduation at San Jose State University.
Date & Place: at SJSU 1 Washington Square, in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California 95192, United States
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Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.4k+ favorites
08/12/2024
This is how I'll always remember grandma looking to me. From when I was a child until the final years. Precious photo Ant - thanks for sharing.
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Photo of Carol Caicedo Carol Caicedo
4 followers 53 favorites
08/12/2024
Is My grandma Lucille Ethel Lancaster
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Frank Kroetch Family
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
2.74k+ favorites
04/04/2009
Frank Kroetch Family
A photo of Frank Kroetch, his wife Joyce Benning Kroetch, daughters Pamela (with glasses in front) and Kathleen.
Date & Place: in Cupertino, California USA
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Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
411 favorites
12/28/2016
What are holidays and celebrations without family? Happy Birthday to AncientFaces.com cofounder Kathy Pinna (shown here in back), with her mother, father and sister (also an AncientFaces cofounder) taken in 1958 San Jose, California.
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Photo of June Slater Cunningham June Slater Cunningham
via Facebook
12/28/2016
great photo
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Kroetch Family Wedding Photo
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
2.74k+ favorites
10/02/2024
Kroetch Family Wedding Photo
Family photo taken at the wedding of Kathleen Kroetch to Leonard Pinna. L to R: Frank Kroetch (bride's father), Pam Kroetch (bride's sister), Kathy Kroetch, Joyce Benning Kroetch (bride's mother), and John Kroetch (bride's step-brother).
Date & Place: at Kroetch Home in San Jose, California USA
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Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
32.7k+ favorites
10/11/2023
Happy Birthday Mom💕
You were born into this world 93 years ago today, “in time for lunch” as Grandma used to say 😀 Although you left a little over 6 years ago, you are still felt here and you have left a lasting impact through your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. So while we celebrate the anniversary of your life, let it be known that you live on through all of us - Happy Birthday! 🥳
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Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.4k+ favorites
10/11/2023
Happy Birthday Grandma. Just realized how close together my son's birthday is to yours. Thank you for always being a part of my life.
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Photo of Carol Caicedo Carol Caicedo
53 favorites
08/12/2024
Special
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Nancy Allen with her cousin, Joyce
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
2.74k+ favorites
01/01/2001
Nancy Allen with her cousin, Joyce
Nancy Allen, age 14 mos, daughter of Floyd Allen & Ethel Tasker Allen, with her cousin, Joyce Benning.
Date & Place: in Boise, Idaho USA
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Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
32.7k+ favorites
05/20/2023
Nancy is my grandmother’s sister’s daughter. Joyce (my mom) and she were first cousins. Nancy’s spent her life in Idaho.
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Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
32.7k+ favorites
04/16/2024
My mother and her younger cousin.
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Joyce Benning, friend, and Sandy the dog
Mj Benning
187 favorites
01/01/2001
Joyce Benning, friend, and Sandy the dog
Joyce Benning and unknown friend on front steps with Joyce's dog, Sandy.
Date & Place:
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Photo of Lori Russell Lori Russell
11.9k+ favorites
02/01/2021
Who is her friend with pig tails?
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Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
217 followers 32.7k+ favorites
02/02/2021
The girl with pigtails is my mother, Joyce Benning (who is now deceased). I submitted this photo for her when we began AncientFaces 20 years ago. She couldn't remember the name of her friend.
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Lorraine Apartments, San Jose, CA
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
10/24/2023
Lorraine Apartments, San Jose, CA
A photo of the Lorraine Apartments, So. 4th St., San Jose, CA. Photo taken by Joyce Benning Kroetch while she and her husband Frank were living there in 1949. Frank was attending San Jose State at the time.
Date & Place: in San Jose, California USA
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Joyce with her grandchildren
Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.4k+ favorites
09/26/2023
Joyce with her grandchildren
My grandmother Joyce with her two grandchildren at Easter. Six years ago today you passed away. You missed your first great-grandchild by 1,114 days.

Thank you for everything grandma.
Date & Place: in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California United States
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Joyce, Kathleen & Frank Kroetch
Photo of Pam Marks Pam Marks
2.68k+ favorites
09/25/2023
Joyce, Kathleen & Frank Kroetch
Photo of 7 week-old daughter, Kathleen Kroetch, with proud parents Joyce Benning Kroetch and Frank Kroetch. Taken at their home in Willow Glen.
Date & Place: at Willow Glen in San Jose, California USA
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Photo of Lori Russell Lori Russell
11.9k+ favorites
04/17/2021
I do know that when my grandma Ruth Mussleman . Was in California at one time. With her then husband Donivan Musselman.
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Photo of Lori Russell Lori Russell
11.9k+ favorites
04/17/2021
Her 1st husband. Was donnivan J Musselman. Then he died. She married 2 time to Ferris E Thompson . In 1957 in Fenwick. Michigan
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Marian Benning's Family Tree & Friends

Marriage

Frank Kroetch

&

Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch

March 26, 1949
Marriage date
Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington United States
Marriage location
Divorce
Cause of Separation
July 1968
Divorce date
Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho, 83864 United States
Divorce location
Frank married Joyce one day after his 22nd birthday.
Notes
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Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch
Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch Oct 11, 1930 - Sep 10, 2017
Frank Kroetch
Frank Kroetch Mar 25, 1927 - Jul 12, 2001
Child
Pam (Kroetch) Marks
Pam (Kroetch) Marks born Jan 1951
Kathleen Rae (Kroetch) Pinna
Kathleen Rae (Kroetch) Pinna born 1949
Marriage

Jack Wendell Vandever

&

Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch

November 28, 1969
Marriage date
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California United States
Marriage location
Divorce
Cause of Separation
1974
Divorce date
San Jose, Santa Clara County, California United States
Divorce location
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Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch
Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch Oct 11, 1930 - Sep 10, 2017
Jack Wendell Vandever
Jack Wendell Vandever born May 1936
Child
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Friendships

Marian's Friends

Beverly Clarice (Washington) Scoffone
Beverly Clarice (Washington) Scoffone Aug 1930 - Dec 6, 2022 Los Gatos, California, United States
Beverly Clarice (Washington) Scoffone of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California United States was born in August 1930, and died at age 92 years old on December 6, 2022.
9 followers
Al Scoffone
Al Scoffone 1924 - Mar 6, 2006 Monte Sereno, California, United States
Aldo Scoffone of 15722 Lancaster Rd, in Monte Sereno, Santa Clara County, California United States was born in 1924 in Cupertino to Gus Scoffone and Eugenia Mellano. He had a brother Ray Scoffone. He married Beverly Clarice (Washington) Scoffone on November 28, 1948 in Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, CA, and they were married until Aldo's death on March 6, 2006. Aldo Scoffone was buried at Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga.
8 followers
Charles Henry Barrett Jr.
Charles Henry Barrett Jr. Apr 16, 1928 - Apr 29, 2009 Campbell, California, United States
Charles Henry Barrett Jr. of 2271 Highland Park Ln, in Campbell, Santa Clara County, California United States was born on April 16, 1928 in Missoula, Missoula County, MT to Charles Henry 'Heinie' Barrett Sr. and Ann (Boespflug) Barrett. He was in a relationship with Maryalys Barrett, and they were together until Charles' death on April 29, 2009. Charles Barrett was buried on May 6, 2009 at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park in San Jose.
10 followers
Dennis R Washington
Dennis R Washington born 1934 Missoula, Montana, United States
Dennis R Washington of Missoula, Missoula County, Montana United States was born in 1934 in Spokane, Spokane County, WA, and has a sister Beverly Clarice (Washington) Scoffone. Dennis Washington was married to Phyllis Washington in 1964, and has children Kyle Washington and Kevin Washington. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Dennis R Washington.
5 followers
Friends of Marian Friends can be as close as family. Add Marian's family friends, and her friends from childhood through adulthood.
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28 Followers & Sources
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Other Biographies

Other Marian Benning Biographies

Benning, Marian (Oct 28, 1895 - Mar 7, 1997)

Other Benning Family Biographies

Gray, Grace (Born Mar 25, 1885) Benning, Lloyd (Apr 3, 1894 - Sep 17, 1966) Coulson, Evalyn Benning, Genette Benning, Eva (Born Oct 4, 1895) Twist, Mabel (Born Jan 3, 1889) Benning, Walter (Nov 2, 1883 - 1958) Los Kamp, Lois Jemima Benning (Sep 28, 1880 - Oct 15, 1938) Benning, Lorraine (Feb 19, 1913 - Jul 19, 2011) Benning, Charles (Apr 6, 1907 - Apr 20, 2001)
Benning, Darieck (May 21, 1959 - Jun 24, 2008) Benning, Chester (Jun 29, 1924 - Apr 1979) Benning, Alice (Apr 23, 1913 - Dec 20, 1995) Benning, Helen (Nov 22, 1912 - Apr 1990) Benning, William (Mar 23, 1911 - Sep 23, 1991) Benning, Muriel (Dec 1, 1906 - Aug 11, 1990) Benning, Blanche (Jul 20, 1900 - Nov 1986) Benning, Leila (Sep 24, 1906 - Jan 26, 2008) Benning, Doris (Sep 21, 1900 - May 1975) Benning, Marion (Jul 28, 1904 - Dec 19, 1988)
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