Kathy Marie Benik

life story

Loving mother, devoted wife, and faithful servant of Jehovah

Our beloved Kathy, was born Kathy Marie Kimmell on July 14, 1950, to her parents Dorothy and Wayne (also known as Kim) Kimmell. Kathy fell asleep in death at the age of 71, on July 5, 2022, due to advanced Parkinson’s disease. Kathy’s family and friends find great comfort knowing that, in Jehovah’s eyes, she is merely sleeping, waiting to be awoken to life on a paradise earth soon to come. She is being held safe in Jehovah’s memory until that day.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Richard Benik; her beloved children: son Brandon Savchenko, daughter Amy Zaffke, son-in-law Clint Zaffke, and daughter Chelsey Benik. She is also survived by her sister Lynda Raunio and Lynda’s husband Rick Raunio, and their brother Roger Kimmell, as well as many cousins, other relatives, and many dear friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Wayne Kimmell, her first husband Steven Savchenko, and also Sam and Shirley Savchenko, whom she viewed as second parents after her own parents died. To them she was their second daughter and Dick Benik their son-in-law.

As a child, Kathy got a taste of travel with her family, making many trips to visit extended family, sightseeing adventures, and also to attend assemblies and conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

One of those very special trips was in 1958, when she had the privilege of visiting New York City for the 1958 International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which was attended by more than a quarter of a million people! The actual peak attendance was 253,922 Jehovah’s Witnesses and other interested people filling Yankee Stadium, the Polo Grounds and a couple of other smaller venues. Truly a historic event!

Kathy has always had a very good reputation. Her future grandmother-in-law, Amanda Jameson, always said, “That little Kathy is such a nice girl."

Kathy grew up in Robbinsdale, MN. While growing up, her best friend was Debbie Chalupsky, whose family lived nearby, and the two girls were in school together in the same grade. You may know Debbie, she is now married to Ray Keen and is in the Rockford Congregation.

Another of her childhood friends was Sharlyn Savchenko, her future sister-in-law, now in Plymouth Congregation. Sharlyn says: “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know Kathy. Our moms started trading baby-sitting when I was 2 and Kathy was 4.”

Yes, Kathy had many lifelong friends.

Kathy’s parents were known for being very hospitable, setting an example of hospitality that she continued throughout her life. Kathy’s mom, Dorothy, started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1955, when Kathy was just 5 years old. So Kathy was raised studying the Bible and knowing Jehovah God.

At the age of 17, Kathy chose to dedicate her life to serving her God Jehovah, and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on August 25, 1967. Because her sister Lynda was also baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses that same day, that made the day even more memorable for both sisters.

At the age of 20, Kathy married her high school sweetheart Steven Savchenko, on October 17, 1970. They wanted children very much, and were finally blessed with the births of Brandon and Amy.

Following Kathy’s marriage to Richard Benik, on May 12, 1990, she and Dick were blessed a couple of years later with the birth of their daughter, Chelsey.

As an adult, Kathy loved to entertain friends and family, and was well-known for her kindness and hospitality. She also loved to travel, both with her family, and their family “girls’ trips."

Kathy loved documenting all these events, whether it was get-togethers or travel; she was always taking photos. As an adult, she was able to visit Europe twice (including a trip to Spain with Dick, Brandon, Amy, and Chelsey.) She enjoyed cruises, and also visited Mexico, Jamaica, California, Colorado, plus many, many other locations across the United States.

Some of Kathy’s other favorite hobbies included reading, baking and gardening. She truly enjoyed decorating her home, too. But what she especially loved was raising her three children. Family was always very important to her. It was one of her core values. And, of utmost importance, what has always been consistent throughout her life, was her belief in what the Bible promises, her worship of her God Jehovah, and her ministry. She served for several years as a Regular pioneer, and later as a Regular Auxiliary pioneer.

One of Kathy’s long-time friends, Judie Hirdler, has a few special memories to share. Judie said: “Kathy and I were close for over 30 years. I miss our shopping together, including running through the stores to get back home before Chelsey’s bus! I miss our Chanhassen dinner plays, too many to count. Our little weekend out-of-town trips, our Hawaiian parties, and fun times while pioneering together! We shared lots of laughs and tears together. I love and miss her very much!”

Kathy’s daughter Amy remembers her as being a wonderful mom. In fact, she was such a wonderful wife and mother, she was willing to do almost anything to help provide for her family. Amy remembers, that when she was about 3 years old, her mom even dressed up in a costume as a loaf of Wonderbread, and handed out samples! This is one of Amy’s favorite funny memories of her mom!

Brandon and Amy both fondly remember how much their mom liked to sing. They say she would always sing or hum while she was working around the house. They both credit their mom for their love of music.

Brandon says: “To this day, I still listen to the oldies, mostly 60’s music."

Amy also enjoyed her “girls’ days” spent with her mom going shopping, to the beach, baking, etc. She said: “My mom was always ready and willing to do fun things with us kids.

Amy also cherishes the memory of how important her mother’s spiritual routine was to her. She said: “She always set a good example of being regular in the ministry and trained us to do the same. We never questioned whether we would be sharing in the ministry each Saturday, we just knew we would. Another thing I always remember, is that she would have me prepare at least 3 comments for each meeting with the goal of giving at least one comment. I’m convinced that her faithful example is what still motivates and encourages me to endure in my service to Jehovah to this day. And I know my mom will be dearly missed by her family and her many friends.”

For further information regarding Kathy's wonderful hope of being resurrected to a paradise on earth to enjoy perfect life forever, we invite you to visit our official website, JW.ORG.