Dorine Benest, formerly of Severy, died on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at Regent Park Assisted Living, in Wichita, at the age of 98.
She was born on December 27, 1919, in Elk County, Kansas, the daughter of Orville O. and Elfie Mae (Belcher) Coon. She was raised in Elk County on the family farm attending Fiat Grade School and graduating from Severy High School. On September 27, 1939, Dorine was united in marriage to Merle Marion Benest in Independence, Kansas. To this union, six children were born. They made their home on the family farm for a few years before moving to Severy, where they lived for the majority of their lives. Merle preceded her in death on April 6, 1993. Later Dorine moved to Wichita due to health concerns and to be closer to family.
She was a member of the Severy United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Cosmos Club, the Rebekah’s, and had served on the school board for Severy.
She is survived by four children, Beverly Ann and husband, Richard Appelhans of Wichita, Kansas; Mary Margaret “Margie” and husband, Scott Perkins of Overland Park, Kansas; Sheryl Lyn and husband, Wilford Harris of Andover, Kansas; and Debra Jean and husband, Roger DeLong of Valley Center, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Jeleane Osborn of Augusta, Kansas; fourteen grandchildren: Christopher Benest, Andrea Benest, Kevin Nordquist, Andrea Nordquist-Mitchell, Tracy Perkins-Mackey, Makenzi Perkins-Smith, Steven Vancil, Kelly Vancil, Amber Harris-Wunderlich, Amanda Harris-Lang, Breanne Harris-Coderre, Bryan DeLong, Heather DeLong-Liess; and Brock DeLong; 27 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merle; son, Douglas Kay Benest; and daughter, Linda Sue and husband, Gary Vancil.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the Severy United Methodist Church, in Severy with Pastor Susan Galvan officiating. Interment will follow at South Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Severy Alumni Scholarship Fund or to the Severy United Methodist Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.