By the family

March 10, 2024: It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Edna Juliana Hintermueller Benziger who died peacefully at home on February 20, 2024 in Hailey, Idaho after bravely battling cancer for many years.

Edna is survived by her two children Karina Benziger of West Palm Beach, Fl. and Karl Benziger of Jersey City, NJ. She is also survived by her sister Karina Hintermueller and brother Eric Hintermueller.

Edna was born May 31, 1958 in Montreal to parents Inga and Walter Hintermueller, both of whom had emigrated from Vienna, Austria following the War to find jobs and a better life. Growing up in Laval, a suburb of Montreal, Edna attended Laval Catholic High School. She graduated from Vanier College with training as a respiratory care therapist. Initially, she taught at Vanier College. Then she practiced her skills as a respiratory care therapist first at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, then at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY.

She married Paul Benziger, the father of her children, in Ryan Chapel at the foot of Mont Tremblant, Canada in September 1989. Edna lived in Bronxville, NY for 18 years where she helped raise Karina and Karl. Edna and Paul divorced in 2004.

Edna was very spiritual. She loved and thrived in nature, particularly in the mountains. After time in Stowe, Vermont, and while Karina and Karl were both attending University of Denver, Edna moved out to Sun Valley, Idaho where she built a new life filled with many loyal and loving friends.

Combining her care-giving traits and teaching skills with her love for skiing, Edna spent many years volunteering at Higher Ground teaching skiing to individuals with disabilities. She also volunteered for the Galena Backcountry Ski Patrol. Remarkably, Edna alpine skied Baldy one week before she passed. On Tuesday morning February 20, Edna cross-country skied and smiled her way through the pearly white gates to Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Higher Ground, Sun Valley Idaho where Edna volunteered her time teaching adaptive skiers.