Kenneth Benzie

Ken was born in Norway on March 6, 1928, the son of the late Frank and Mary (Bianchi) Benzie.

He was the baby of the family and the apple of his mother’s eye. “Chick” as he was known to many, attended Norway schools until his graduation in 1946. After graduation, he joined the Army and served in the occupation of Okinawa Japan immediately after WWII.

Ken returned from serving our country and attended Michigan Tech and then Michigan State University, earning an engineering degree. While attending MSU, he married Lois LaFreniere on Aug. 11, 1951, in Norway. She preceded him in death on Sept. 30, 2008. Ken spent the last 15 years talking about how much he missed his beloved wife of 57 years. It gives us peace to know that they are together again.

After graduation, Ken and Lois eventually made their home in Escanaba, where he worked for Harnischfeger manufacturing cranes and heavy construction equipment until the plant closed. He wasn’t quite ready for retirement, so he took multiple jobs, including self-employment.

“Retirement” was never really Ken’s style. He continued up until his death managing his rental property, logging wood, and milling lumber at his sawmill at camp. Over the course of his adult life, Ken built multiple homes for himself and his family.

Ken is survived by son, Richard Benzie of DeWitt, Wis.; daughters, Julie Poquette of Wells, Mary Beth (Sam) Thoreson of Hamilton Lakes, and Kris (Adam) Coronado of Pflugerville, Texas.

He is also survived by grandchildren, Craig Nuottila of Calumet, Tim (Wanita) Shaw of Appleton, Wis., Megan (Nick) Shaw-Kwiek of Calumet, Cole (Chelsea) Thoreson of Hamilton Lakes, Jill (Justin) Norcross of Grand Rapids, Mich., Katie (Ryan) Pollard of Vulcan, Michael (Cassandra) Benzie of Greenville, Mich., Justin (Janel) Poquette of Gladstone, Gilbert (Christie) Coronado of Taylor, Texas., Amy Coronado of Boston, and Alex Coronado of Denton, Texas.; 10 great-grandchildren – with a set of twins on the way; and sister-in-law, Carol (LaFreniere) Brown; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois; daughter, Susan Shaw; siblings, and their spouses, Caroleen (Robert) DeDecker, Warren Benzie, and Wallace (Geraldine) Benzie.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m Saturday at the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.

Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday with Rev. Jim Danielson, pastor of Evangelical Covenant Church in Norway, officiating.

Condolences to the family of Ken may be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were made with the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.