Jennifer Christine Benne, 74, of Mexico, passed away while surrounded by family on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Memorial services will be at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church of Mexico. A private family entombment will follow in the First Presbyterian Church columbarium. Rev. Dr. Susan Presley will be officiating the service.

Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. on Sunday, August 30, at the church.

Born in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Jennifer spent her childhood in Michigan and Pennsylvania before her family settled in Brentwood, Missouri, where she graduated from Brentwood High School. As a child, she especially enjoyed spending time with her four brothers, helping her mother prepare family meals and traveling to Lebo, Kansas, to visit her grandparents and cousins. She attended the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile and Apparel Management, and went on to work as a fashion buyer for Stix Baer & Fuller. On April 3, 1976, she married the love of her life, Dan Benne and together they raised four children. They lived near New Melle, Missouri, for 13 years, where they co-owned and operated Dan’s Country Meats for 16 years before moving to their farm in Audrain County near Mexico in 1989. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, where she faithfully served as Financial Secretary from January 1994 until September 2020.

Jennifer was deeply committed to serving her church and community. She served as an elder and deacon, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Property & Maintenance and Columbarium committees. She was also a Master’s Gardener, decorated the church lobby bulletin board each month, and was an active member of Presbyterian Women, Mary Circle. Jennifer was a longtime member and past president of the Weller-Rohlfing Circle at King’s Daughters Home, an organization she had been involved with since the 1990s. In July 2026, the Weller-Rohlfing Circle honored Jennifer with an Honorary Membership in appreciation of her many years of service to the Circle, the Missouri Branch of King’s Daughters and Sons, and King’s Daughters Home. She was also a member of P.E.O., DK Chapter, and served on the Audrain County Water District #2 Board and Audrain County Extension Council. Her dedication to agriculture and youth was evident through her service as a 4-H Club Leader. Jennifer’s contributions to her community were recognized with the Missouri State Fair Farm Family of the Year award and the Dale H. Schnarre Rural Citizen Award. She was also honored as a lifetime member of Presbyterian Women.

Jennifer enjoyed working in her yard and tending to her flowers, and she helped Dan in the fields during planting and harvest while also keeping the farm books and caring for their home. She cherished the family vacations they took each summer, as well as trips to Wales to visit extended family. Jennifer and Dan shared 31 years of marriage, and she loved him and her family deeply. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother to her nine grandchildren. She never missed a ball game or band concert and was always there to support and encourage them. Jennifer was a caring, hardworking woman whose love and devotion to her family will be deeply missed.

Survivors include four children, Stephanie (Aneesh) Tosh of Columbia, Dustin (Tracy) Benne of Mexico, Dallas (Rachel) Benne of Mexico and Lindsey (Matthew) Pound of Laddonia; nine grandchildren, Ajay Tosh, Mira Tosh, Kaden Benne, Kyler Benne, Faye Benne, Luke Benne, Lily Benne, Noah Pound and Henry Pound; three brothers, David Jones of Brentwood, Roger (Patricia) Jones of Brentwood and Kenneth (Fran) Jones of Brentwood; two brothers-in-law, Wayne (Nancy) Benne, Kevin (Tamira) Benne; four sisters-in-law, Mary Jones, Sandra (Bill) Molitor, Deborah (Bob) Benda and Charlene (Mike) Loyd as well as several nieces, nephews and close friends.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Lee Benne; parents, John W. Jr. and Irene Jones; one brother, John “Jack” Jones, III; parents-in-law, Raymond and Alice Benne; one sister-in-law, Patricia Deem Jones.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Mexico or the King’s Daughters Home. Memorials may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.