It is with sadness and a heavy heart we announce, that after a short battle with congestive heart failure, the passing of our beloved mother Doris Elaine Benge on December 22, 2024 at St Joseph Hospital.

Mom was born on November 30, 1937 in Fernwood, Idaho to Kenny and Alma West. Mom grew up with her brother Richard and many cousins in Fernwood and attended St. Maries High School in St. Maries, Idaho. It was in Fernwood that mom met the love of her life, our father, John Benge. Mom always joked that dad was the first boy to come through town that wasn’t a relative, so she had to marry him. Mom and dad were married on August 2, 1952 and were married for 69 years. John and Doris had four children, Johnny K, Jerry, Jonda and Jason.

In 1954, logging brought mom and dad to Klamath, California. Dad worked in the woods while mom stayed home and took care of the kids. During the 1955 flood mom and dad met Dale and Jean Worker. The Workers became lifelong friends and were more like family. While in Klamath mom and dad made many lifelong friends.

In the late 1950s mom and dad moved to Humboldt County and eventually settled in their Sunny Brea home on Chester Avenue in Arcata next door to the Baileys, who were more like family then neighbors. Mom and dad lived in Arcata for the next 64 years.

In the early years mom was a home maker and volunteered with Girl Scouts and Job’s Daughters. In 1975 an opportunity arouses and mom took over the Coffee Shop at the Eureka Municipal Golf Course. After running the Coffee Shop for many years, mom started bar tending at the Eureka Elks Lodge and Art’s Tavern in Eureka.

After dad’s retirement, mom and dad started traveling the country including Alaska in their motorhome. Mom and dad were charter members of the Big Foot Good Sam’s Club and through the club mom helped raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind out of San Rafael Ca. After many miles in the motorhome, mom and dad started to spend winters in Yuma, Arizonaa with family and friends, and summers back home in Arcata. During this time mom and dad enjoyed many cruises to Alaska, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Mom had many talents. She could sew anything, cook anything and was a great painter, both pictures and wood crafts. She loved to make beaded jewelry. Mom would sell her crafts and jewelry at crafts shows here in Humboldt and in Yuma. Many people are wearing “Bling by Doris” jewelry.

Mom was a collector of cookbooks and a fan of any cooking show. Mom also loved to cook large meals. Her Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve Dinners will be missed.

Until just recently, Mom served on many different committees and on the Board for well over 50 years at the Northern Redwood Federal Credit Union. Mom loved serving and cared about all the staff both past and present at the credit union.

Mom is survived by her children Jerry (Lori), Jonda Fike and Jason(Yesenia). She also leaves behind her grandchildren Johnny Benge, Sara Fike, Dillon Fike, Krystal Mcmaster, Hailey Benge, Reylan Benge and six great-grandchildren. Her sister-in-law Dee West and former daughter in law Joann Snyder Lemos. Mom was preceded in death by her husband John Benge, son Johnny K, parents Kenny and Alma West, brother Richard West and son-in-law Arlis Fike.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph Hospital for their care for mom and family during this difficult time. And also, to Arlene “Cookie” Wilson for being a great friend to the family.

At mom’s request there will be no service. In her honor watch your favorite cooking show and cook a meal for your family and friends.