Kevin Benzel

Kevin Lee Benzel, of Bailey, Colorado was born March 25, 1964 and died February 13, 2009 at his home. He loved the great outdoors, camping and hiking. However the light of his life was his 17 year old daughter Jessica who lives in San Luis Obispo, California. Kevin had a beautiful gift of craftsmanship and love of woodworking. He gained his many skills from his father, under the apprenticeship of others, and through his own dedication and attention to detail. His family moved to Fort Collins from Sidney, Nebraska in 1965. While here, Kevin attended O'Dea Elementary, Boltz Junior High, and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1983. Survivors include his daughter Jessica Benzel and her mother Sylvia Ortiz; his parents, Leonard and Belle Benzel; best friends and brothers, Tom Benzel and wife Wendy Anderson-Benzel, Randy Benzel and wife Susan Benzel; four sisters, Brenda Gifford, his best friend and sister Nancy Behrendt and husband Tim Behrendt, Molly Jones and husband Troy Jones, and Amy Smith and husband Mark Smith; and his dear friend Lola Miller. Kevin was loved by his ten nieces and nephews who will miss him greatly. He is preceded in death by his brother Jeffrey Allen Benzel; grandparents Carl and Molly Benzel; and Alfred and Helen Koester. Kevin's hearty laughter will always ring in the ears of his family and friends. Mass of the Resurrection will be held beginning at 1:00 pm Thursday, February 19th at Blessed John XXIII University Parish. Interment will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery. Kevin's family requests that any memorial donations please be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Kevin Benzel Memorial Fund (for his daughter) in care of Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Dr., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.