The following obituary was published on page 1 of  the Millstadt Enterprise, December 24, 1942.
Mother of Local Man Dies
Mrs. Sophia M.C. Bense died at her home in Baldwin on Saturday after an illness of eleven days. Death was 
due to heart failure. She was the mother of  Fred H. Bense, manager of the local Kroger store. 
 
She was born at Ruma on March 23, 1870, a daughter of Henry and Mary Degner Hackmeister, both 
deceased. She was married to  Friedrich C. Bense at Red Bud on April 13, 1893. He survives.
 I 
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Louise Wirth and Mrs. Lena -Wirth both of Baldwin; and one son, 
Fred. She leaves a brother and three sisters, Fred of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mrs. Margaret Kreher of Troy; Mrs. 
Lena Krumpke and Mrs. Henry Sievers, of Ruma, and four grandchildren.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ruma and interment was in St. 
John’s cemetery.