Kathryn "Katy" Lee Bennett Benge

Kathryn Lee Benge "Katy" was born in Muskogee, OK on January 15, 1936, to her parents Byrd Bennett and Helen Bennett. She passed from this life on February 2nd, 2023. She was a Navy wife, mother, and a computer data analyst. She was baptized on April 9th, 1944, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, OK. She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1954 and married her sailor sweetheart, Albert Houston Benge "Abe" on June 27th, 1954.
As a Navy wife, Katy made her home in various ports during their 21 years of service, including Washington D.C., Philippines, Hawaii, and multiple cities in California. Barbara Kay Benge was born in Bethesda Naval Hospital, during the time that Abe was stationed at the Pentagon, on January 23, 1956. They also had a son that was born on May 8, 1958, but unfortunately, he lived less than one day. He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, where Katy and Abe's ashes will be interred.
On the return from the Philippines, Katy stopped in Oklahoma to stay with her mother and give birth to Robert Mark Benge (Mark) on December 9, 1959.
Joseph Terry Benge (Joe) was born in Honolulu, Hi on August 25, 1963.
Katy and Abe retired from Navy life on 8/1/1972 and returned to Oklahoma for Abe to complete the degree he had started at Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University. Upon graduation, they moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma where Abe began a second career in Finance Management and Data Processing. All three children graduated from Broken Arrow High School.
As the children got older, Katy was a manager at a KFC and an independent chicken restaurant, The Red Rooster. Then she began her career in data processing by assisting Abe in his venture to bring computers and data processing to the small school systems across the state. Abe wrote the programs and Katy would implement and train the staff on how to use the programs. They helped many school systems get started with computers for state required functions and made many friends in the process.
When Abe retired from BA Schools in 1992, they moved to Arcadia, OK to live on a 40-acre ranch and raise Arabian horses. They enjoyed the country life and were active in the horse show community, not showing horses, but working the gate and being involved. Katy loved gathering with friends and family and enjoyed many trips to spend time at the lake with her siblings. Katy was an artist and enjoyed painting. Her paintings are displayed and enjoyed in the homes of many friends and family. During the last several years, she began sharing her artistry by painting custom Christmas ornaments for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
During their time in Arcadia, they hosted foreign exchange students, their grandson, Chase Benge to attend Edmond North High School and they raised goats, chickens, and many dogs.
They 'downsized' to a 40-acre place near Stillwater, OK in 2007 where they continued to enjoy the country life and the company of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout their lives, Abe and Katy were always generous hosts, having reunions and holiday meals at their homes. Everyone was always welcomed and included as family. In 2017, with Abe's passing, Katy and Barbara moved to a home in Midwest City where they lived until 2021 when they decided to move to Arbor House Assisted Living.
Katy was preceded in death by parents, Byrd and Helen Bennett, her husband of 63 years, Albert Benge, by her sisters Anne Jane Blankenship and Mary Helen Tyler. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Lynn Bennett, her sister Wanda Scott, by her daughter, Barbara Benge, her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Jamie Benge and her son, Joe Benge, by her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Chase and Meg Benge, grandsons Tyler Benge and Matt Benge, granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Kacie and Cody Cook, grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Josh and Whitney Benge, granddaughter and grandson-in-law Beckie and Corbin Choate and by great grandchildren, Kenzie Benge, Luke Benge, Kate Benge, Caden Cook, Kyler Cook, Olivia Choate and Benjamin Keith Choate.
Services will be held on February 12, 2023, at 2:00PM at First Christian Church of Midwest City, 11950 E Reno Ave. Midwest City, OK 73130 and will be streamed at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FirstCCMWCOK
In lieu of flowers please make donations to a charity of your choice or one of the following charities that Katy supported: First Christian Church of MWC, Wounded Warrior Project, St Labre Indian School, or Tunnel to Towers.
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