Kenneth Benzie

HAMILTON LAKES- Kenneth Dominic Benzie age 95 of Hamilton Lakes passed peacefully from this world on July 19, 2023 at Marshfield Medical Center - Dickinson in Iron Mountain, MI. Ken was born in Norway, MI 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, earning an engineering degree. While attending MSU, he married Lois LaFreniere on August 11, 1951 in Norway. She preceded him in death on September 30, 2008. Ken has 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; daughters Julie Poquette of Wells, Mary Beth (Sam) Thoreson of Hamilton Lakes, and Kris (Adam) Coronado of Pflugerville, TX. He is also survived by grandchildren Craig Nuottila of Calumet, Tim (Wanita) Shaw of Appleton, WI, Megan (Nick) Shaw-Kwiek of Calumet, Cole (Chelsea) Thoreson of Hamilton Lakes, Jill (Justin) Norcross of Grand Rapids, Katie (Ryan) Pollard of Vulcan, Michael (Cassandra) Benzie of Greenville, Justin (Janel) Poquette of Gladstone, Gilbert (Christie) Coronado of Taylor, TX., Amy Coronado of Boston, MA., and Alex Coronado of Denton, TX.; 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 held on Saturday, July 22 from 12-1 p.m. at the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway. Memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. with Rev. Jim Danielson, pastor of Evangelical Covenant Church in Norway, officiating.

Kenneth Benzie

March 6, 1928 - July 19, 2023