Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Elizabeth Liz Schenke

Elizabeth Liz Baumgardner Schenke, 68, of Benton, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

She was the daughter of Carl Nealus and Margaret Janet Patterson Baumgardner, born on Oct. 25, 1938, near Okolona, Clark County.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Rev. Robert Preston Baumgardner.

Elizabeth graduated from Okolona High School, attended Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia, and graduated from Baptist School of Nursing in Little Rock, class of 1961. She worked as a critical care nurse, primarily at Methodist South Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, until her retirement in 1999. She then obtained her realtors license to help Bob, her husband, in the real estate industry.

Liz was a loving wife, devoted mother, and a faithful friend to all who knew her. Her hobbies included reading, music, and a love of nature, wild flowers, trees, birds, and rocks. She was definitely a rock hound.

Liz was a member of First United Methodist Church in Benton, and the Wesley Sunday School Class and served as the class pianist. She was a past member of Arkansas Nursing Association, Little Rock Realtors Association, Arkansas Board of Realtors, National Board of Realtors and the Central Arkansas Gem, Mineral, and Geology Society.

Liz is survived by her husband of 45 eyars, Robert R. Bob Schenke; two daughters, Janet Elizabeth Schenke Wages and husband Dewell, Merrian Catherine Schenke Carmical and husband John, all of Jacksonville; one granddaughter, Lori Ambrose Daniels of Fort Worth, Texas; and her siblings, James Baumgardner and Sue of Longview, Texas, Janine Baumgardner MacKenzie and Charles of Cookeville, Tenn., Everyn Baumgardner and Becky of Gurdon and Ruby Baumgardner of Fayetteville.

As her last gesture of kindness for mankind, Liz donated her body to be used for medical research. A celebration of her life will be held in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in kBenton on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. Members of the Wesley Sunday School Class will serve as pallbearers. Internment will be at South Fork Cemetery near Gurdon at a later date.

It is Lizs wish that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Barnabas Fund in care of First United Methodist Church, 200 North Market St., Benton, AR 72015.