Sara (Beth) Elizabeth Benisch, age 84, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025 in Green Valley, Arizona with her husband of 51 years, Michael, by her side.

Sara was born on April 9, 1941, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota to Olive and Frank Baucom. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Nurse Corps. During her military service she achieved the rank of Major and served two tours in Vietnam. Following her military career she worked as a nurse in Houston, Texas and Bryan, Texas.

Sara loved animals and nature. She raised and showed English Setters and Toggenburg and Alpine dairy goats under the kennel and farm name Brynnestone. She also enjoyed sailing, traveling, and musical theater. After retirement Sara and Michael moved to Green Valley where she was active at Beth Shalom Temple Center.

Sara is survived by her husband Michael, her daughters Rebecca Benisch and Deborah Haraway, brother Frank (Kathy) Baucom, sister Frances Olsen, sister-in-law Robyn (David) Emmerson, and grandchildren Joshua and Ethan Haraway.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Marjorie Spoerri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Arbor Day Foundation, Jewish National Fund, or a charity of your choice.