Benita Messer

BENITA CAROL MESSER

Cedar Rapids

Benita Carol Messer, 64, of Letts, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, April 4, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a sudden illness. Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Monarch Room, Teahen Funeral Home.

Benita is survived by her husband of 24 years, Ray; daughters, Leslie Chavez (Antonio Vega) and Lisa (Landon) Taylor; sons, Joshua Chavez Lakose and Jesse Lakose; 12 grandchildren, Sade, Avery, Jada, Santana, Gabriella, Max, Alexander, Vivian, Albert, Anabelle, Aaliyah and Joshua Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Aura and Aiyanna; sister, JoEllen (David) Ritchie; brothers, Fredrick Chavez Jr., John "Flavious" Chavez, David Chavez and Randy (Pearl) Chavez; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Daniel; and grandson, Emrys Thomas Taylor.

Benita was born Aug. 29, 1957, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Fredrick and Patricia Miller Chavez and attended Washington High School. On Nov. 8, 1997, she married Ray Messer in Cedar Rapids. Benita was a bank supervisor for over 35 years.

Benita loved watching her grandchildren and cheering them on at their many activities. She enjoyed laughing her infectious laugh, helping others and putting people before herself. Benita loved going to the Riverside casino and eating at the buffet, canning out of her garden, making sure everyone always had enough to eat, reading and her cats. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother and friend, and she will be deeply missed.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.