Christine "Chris" Vento Bente age 74, of Greendale WI passed away at her home, Monday July 13, 2026, after a battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer. She was born December 31, 1951. She is survived by her husband Ross Bente, her sister Patricia Kleczka, and many cousins and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Helen (Trimboli) Vento, her brother in law Thomas Kleczka, and all her aunts and uncles.

After graduating from Mount Mary College in 1974, Chris taught Spanish at Brookfield East Hugh School for 26 years. Each year she took a group of students to Spain where they each stayed with a family for a week. They went to the school there, ate in some local restaurants, and saw the sites in and around Alicante Spain. She became very good friends with the principal there who brought students to Wisconsin as the other part of the exchange.

Chris got her Masters Degree in School Administration from UWM and became an administrator for the West Allis / West Milwaukee School District. There she was responsible for the curriculum for the schools, involved in hiring teachers, staff development, and budgeting. She was a right hand person to the superintendent until retiring in 2011. She loved her work.

Chris loved her family and friends. She loved cooking, and she loved cooking for family and friends. For many holidays and birthdays throughout the years, she would unite groups of people and prepare a nice meal. There would be good conversation and laughter, with food left over to send home with everyone. She loved her "puppies" Margo and CC, and later Cali and Roscoe. They were part of the party.

Chris helped family and friends find a home, a car, a job, or the right doctor. She helped teachers in many ways. She helped people navigate bureaucracy, and technology. She always said "Technology is great when it works." In cards, letters and visits during her illness we learned of ways she helped that we didn't know of.

Chris loved to travel, loved shopping, loved music and loved concerts, often combining all four. Years ago she traveled with family to Door County and Vilas County. For years to extend the WI summers, in the spring and fall, she went to AZ and in later years to CA. She loved clothes shopping and grocery shopping. (Remember she liked to cook.) In her car she listened to mostly 50's and 60's music. Her favorite concerts were a variety... John Denver, Tina Turner, Adam Lambert, The Rolling Stones, Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie, and most recently The Eagles at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

In the Spring she loved to plant flowers to beautify the back deck, and the front porch. She loved to plant tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, basil, and parsley to use in her cooking.

Chris was a long time member of St. Rita's Parish, until its' closing, and then joined St. Matthias Parish, and most importantly she loved her God, (and now, from her final resting place, at WI Memorial Park in Brookfield,) She will see God in all His Glory.

Visitation at St. Matthias Catholic Parish, 9306 W. Beloit Rd., on Friday, July 17 from 9:30-11 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Procession to Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr., immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Matthias Catholic Parish, School, or food pantry in remembrance of Chris.