Charlene Mary Benoit

February 15, 1939 - May 27, 2014

Charlene Mary (Brengman) Benoit, age 75, of Dassel died Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at her daughter's home in Dassel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the St. John's Catholic Church in Darwin with Fr. Brian Mandel officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday evening from 4-7 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel, with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. and parish prayers following the rosary. There will be a one-hour visitation prior to the service on Saturday at the St. John's Catholic Church in Darwin. A private family interment will be held at a later date at the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Darwin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to go to the St. John's Mary Garden. Charlene Mary (Brengman) Benoit, the daughter of Raymond and Elodie (Moquin) Brengman, was born on February 15, 1939, in Crookston, Minnesota. Charlene was baptized and confirmed in the catholic faith and was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Darwin. She grew up and attended school in Ada until at the age of 16 her family moved to St. Cloud where she attended St. Cloud Cathedral, graduating in 1957. Upon graduating from high school, Charlene attended the College of Saint Benedict for one year before transferring to the St. Cloud School of Nursing and receiving her LPN degree. Oct. 19, 1961, Charlene was united in marriage to Duane "Beno" John Benoit, at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Together they made their home in rural St. Augusta until 1982, when they moved to Dassel, where they have resided since. Charlene was employed as a nurse as the St. Cloud Hospital for 15 years, Lakeside Nursing Home in Dassel for 5 years, Activities Aid at the Cokato Manor, the Prairie Senior Cottages and Director of Senior Dining in Dassel. She enjoyed children and her grandchildren were a joy in her life. She was an advocate for the unborn and was a supporter of Birthright. She enjoyed playing cards and had been a member of a card club for 50 years. She loved to volunteer and would often visit and volunteer at the local nursing home. Charlene was a born caregiver. She loved her family and will be missed by her children, grandchildren, and her many friends. Charlene is survived by her son Timothy (Sandra) Benoit of Dassel; daughters Mary (Steven) Levinski of Darwin, Susan (Timothy) Steuck of Dassel, and Shelly (Carlos) Mendiola of Dassel, 12 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane "Beno" Benoit, son, James, three miscarried grandchildren, parents, and one brother, Vernon Brengman.