Carol Benzing

Monday, October 15, 2018 1:57 pm

Carol Benzing, 64, of Decorah, died Oct. 9, 2018, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Madison Lutheran Church, Ridgeway, with Pastor Dan Christensen officiating. Organist was Cindy Hovey. Hymns were “Morning Has Broken,” “On Eagles’ Wings” and “For the Beauty of the Earth. Interment was at Madison Lutheran Cemetery, Ridgeway. Casket bearers were Mike Busta, Tom Busta, Cody Stuart, Zach Fretheim, Justin Fretheim and Kyle Fretheim. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Carol Ann Benzing was born Nov. 10, 1953, the daughter of Herbert and Ruth (Bjerkvig) Fretheim in Decorah. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1971. After high school, Carol trained as a medical assistant in Minneapolis before working at the VA in Minneapolis. She moved back to Decorah and began working at the hospital. Carol was united in marriage to Steve Benzing June 28, 1975, at the Madison Lutheran Church. Together they had three children: Erika, Ryan and Kara. Carol worked for the Department of Human Services until being diagnosed with cancer in November of 2015. Carol loved to have fun and had a great sense of humor. She cherished her Norwegian heritage and was an animal lover, caring for many cats, dogs, chickens and other kinds of pets. Christmas was a big deal for Carol and she loved to decorate. She was a rock collector and enjoyed looking for and shopping for rocks. She made jewelry out of many of them. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading, shopping, going to the Minnesota State Fair, riding bikes and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. Carol enjoyed spending time outdoors and most of all spending time with family.

Carol is survived by her husband Steve Benzing, Decorah; children: Erika (Shelby Lansing) Benzing, Ossian; Ryan Benzing, Marion; and Kara (Josh) Corcoran, Sumner; siblings: Wayne Fretheim, Minneapolis, Minn.; Warren (Linda) Fretheim, Ridgeway; Connie (Dave) Busta, Decorah; Ruth Ann (Steve) Novak, Cresco; and Wes Fretheim, Decorah; aunt, Olive Sims, Decorah; mother-in-law, Marion Benzing, Decorah; brothers-in-law, Dennis (Kristi) Benzing, Decorah and Tom (Chris) Benzing, New Ulm, Minn.; sister-in-law, Karla Benzing, Jonesboro, Ark.; along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ruth (Bjerkvig) Fretheim; father-in-law, Howard Benzing; brother-in-law, Ralph Benzing.