Belle Marie Benzel

Claire Belle Benzel passed away July 27, 2018 at the age of 82. Belle was born April 23, 1936 in Sidney, Nebraska to Alfred and Helen Koester. Belle was one of 3 children who grew up in Sidney, graduating from St. Pat’s Academy. In 1958, she graduated from Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado with a degree in Home Economics. She was a trail-blazer for women during this time pursing a college education out of state. She married Leonard Benzel on June 28, 1958 and they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1965. They had 8 children. She had a long career that encompassed in-home childcare, Poudre High School department secretary, and parish secretary and administrative assistant at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. Belle was a compassionate, caring person from the day she was born until the day she joined Leonard in Heaven. She was a strong leader, organizer, and friend to everyone she met. These talents were apparent as she led 4-H groups, extension clubs, and supported countless community fund raisers. These gifts also came in handy in her role as CEO of a family of nine. Belle had a love for family, church and community; she served the Lord with purpose and selflessness. Belle dedicated her life to raising a strong, loving family. As if raising seven children was not enough, Belle loved and treated their spouses as if they were her own. She constantly doted on everyone, took pictures the minute they walked in the door, and made sure everyone was well fed. As her grandson Zack once put it, “Grandma could feed a small Army out of her purse.” Belle’s face lit up every time her 8 grandkids and 7 great-grandkids walked into the room. Belle served the community by volunteering with seniors, Operation Christmas Child, the Alzheimer’s Walk, The Human Race, and countless others. Belle served as the Archdiocese Arts and Environment Liaison and was instrumental in Papal World Youth Day,1993. Her dedication to community was unmatched. For over 20 years she worked as an Executive Assistant and Coordinator of Services for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; her title underestimates the magnitude of her contributions. Belle’s ability to decorate and beautify any setting; a garden, a tabletop, an altar, a Christmas tree, were among her many passions. Her husband, along with her friends, were her partners in crime to build exactly what was needed to create a perfect setting for any event. Belle is survived by her children Brenda Hartman (Doug), Tom Benzel, Nancy Behrendt (Tim), Randy Benzel (Susan), Molly Jones (Troy), and Amy Smith (Mark) and her brother Phil Koester (Bridget). She was loved by her 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Belle is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Helen Koester; brother, Buck Koester; and husband, Leonard. Belle will be reunited in Heaven with her sons Jeffrey and Kevin Benzel. Evening Vespers and Rosary will be observed at 7:00pm on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 300 West Mountain Ave. Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor Tom Fryar on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 9:30am at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities in care of Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Dr. Suite #E Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.