Kathleen Benzick

Kathleen Jo Benzick, 59, of Pequot Lakes, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2015, less then two short weeks after being diagnosed with stage four cancer. She spent her last days surrounded by family and friends in Hospice Care in Detroit Lakes MN.

Kathy Jo was born January 29, 1955 in Albert Lea, MN. She lived in Rochester, MN until she was in 5th grade when her family moved to Bloomington, MN. She spent the next 30 years living in the Twin Cities area. Shortly after turning 40 years old Kathy Jo and her family moved to the Brainerd Lakes area.

Kathy Jo worked as teller at the Pine River State Bank Breezy Point office for 19 years. She loved her "work family" and often talked of her "regular" customers who came into the bank. Kathy Jo loved the North Shore and Lake Superior. Among some of her favorite things were Split Rock Lighthouse and loons. She also loved baking and being with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Donald and Phyllis (Stiehl) Stephensen of Silver Bay, MN.

Kathy Jo is survived by her children, Jennifer Benzick (Chris Bunnis) of Detroit Lakes, MN, Justin Benzick (Kayla) of Breezy Point, MN and stepdaughter Shala Jacobson (Terry) of Prior Lake, MN; siblings: Diane Dilley (Dave) of Monticello, MN, Sheri Stephensen of Silver Bay, MN, David Stephensen of League City, TX, and Bradley Stephensen (Amy) of Bloomington, MN; eight wonderful grandchildren, Jaydn, Logan, Zander, Zoey, Bella, Adelyn, Jaxon and Ashton.

Kathy Jo will be remembered forever in our hearts by so many for her warm smile and rosy cheeks.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Kline Funeral Home in Pequot Lakes, MN. The visitation will be from 11AM to 1 PM, with a luncheon immediately to follow.