Kathryn “Katie” Benintendi, 84, died Aug. 10, 2008, at her home in Baker City surrounded by her family.
Her memorial graveside service will be held today, Thursday, Aug. 14, at Mount Hope Cemetery. Sister Kay Marie Duncan of Pathway Hospice will officiate.
Kathryn was born to Rebecca and John Paulson in Ontario, Ore., on April 14, 1924. She was one of nine children and attended schools in Ontario. She met Cecil Benintendi at church and married him on June 28, 1941, at the age of 17. They moved to Baker City in 1952.
She held a variety of jobs throughout her life including the lime plant on Wingville Road, a box factory, Wendt’s flowers, school bus driver and then she worked at Sears for 24 years. After retiring from Sears, she worked for Arrow and Wards. Her final job was partnering with her husband the “cool man” in a refrigeration business.
Her hobbies included yard work, fishing, camping, bowling and having coffee with her friends. Her friends always enjoyed her sense of humor and positive attitude. She loved to socialize and always attended the parades; she especially enjoyed the Elk’s Drum and Bugle Corp. She welcomed her family home to enjoy the Miners’ Jubilee every year.
She was preceded in death by her husband Cecil last year after celebrating 66 years of marriage.
She is survived by five children: Cecil Terry and his wife Hazel of Huntington, Stan and his wife Susan of Corbett, Jerry of Baker City, Paula of Baker City, and Tim and his wife Rita of Fairview; 12-grandchildren; 19-great-grandchildren; three sisters all living in the Ontario area: Joan Sanders, Darlene Lane and Mary Lee Burgess and her husband Ralph.
Memorial contributions can be made to Relay for Life through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, August 14, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor