Kathleen “Kathi” Benson, 72 of Lebanon, went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 7, 2024. She was born on May 8, 1952 to Robert and Bernice Farley, in Newhall, California. She was the youngest of three children.

She moved with her family to the Willamette Valley as a child. She attended school in Crawfordsville, and graduated from West Albany High School in 1970. After high school, Kathi attended Linn-Benton Community College. She enjoyed working at Bamboo Terrace in Albany, and after, helped her late husband Tom, run T & K Woodcutters. Kathi met a lot of friends in the Sweet Home area during that time. In 1985, Kathi started managing American Family Video in Sweet Home and later Lebanon. She genuinely cherished each of her customers, always welcoming them with a smile, an attentive ear, and her cheerful nature. She and Doug purchased the video store in 2012. They enjoyed running it until retiring in July of 2019. They both recently enjoyed a road trip along Route 66. Kathi enjoyed gardening, camping, and going fishing in their boat. She also enjoyed making flower arrangements over the years.

Kathi began volunteering with grief counseling at Community Chapel after the loss of her son Brandon in 1996. She empathized with the losses that others had faced and felt a strong desire to support them in their time of need. This mattered greatly to her. Kathi was also a member at Community Chapel Church of Sweet Home for many years. Every Sunday, she and Doug would attend their home group following church. 

She is survived by her five daughters; Debbie Koch, Cindy Syverson, Christy Burgdorf, Angela Allen, Kim Hiatt, husband Doug Benson, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her second husband Tom Stephens, son Brandon Stephens, her sister Sharon Williams, brother Bob Farley and her parents, Robert and Bernice Farley.

A viewing will be from 4-6 pm Friday, October 11th at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Graveside service will be 10 am Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Willamette Memorial Park, 2640 Old Salem Rd NE, Albany, OR 97321. Celebration of Life will be 3 pm, November 10, 2024 at Community Chapel in Sweet Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kathi’s name to the Community Chapel of Sweet Home. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.