Kathryn L. Benson, age 64, of Caseyville, IL, born November 15, 1959, in Belleville, IL, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024, in her home with her husband and family by her side.

She was a loving, devoted and caring daughter, wife, mother, grandma, sister, sister-in-law, cousin, and friend.

Kathy and David first met at the VFW Khoury league sign-up when Kathy asked him to come outside to play tag with the rest of them. David jokes that she chased him since the fifth grade – even though they lived next door to each other since seventh grade. They eventually started dating after high school and married in August of 1979. Together, they had three sons: David, Donnie, and Michael. They were happily married for 44 years.

After working at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL for 24 years, she decided to stay home and take care of the grandchildren. Kathy loved cooking and cleaning, babysitting, and going out to eat with her good friends from Memorial Hospital, Ray and Dena. She loved playing softball, waitressing, taking care of the animals on the farm, and cousins' weekends at the lake. And if you knew Kathy, she never sugar coated anything and told you like it was. Her famous line was, "Who gives a s***?!". Kathy never wanted anything for herself. David would give her money and tell her to go shopping for new clothes and she would come back with things for the kids and grandkids instead of herself. Kathy always put everyone else first and she will be truly missed.

She was one "strong" woman. She had some health issues, but she kept fighting for her life - time after time. Finally, her body couldn't take the struggle any longer and the Lord called her home. Now Heaven has an amazing angel that will keep all the angels in line.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Jerry and Connie (nee Hurst) Phelps; mother-in-law, Kay Benson; grandparents: Forrest and Virginia Hurst, Carl and Robertine Phelps, Paul and Barbra Benson, and Ed Rensch; and niece, Chapin Gross.

Surviving are her husband, David Benson, Jr. of Caseyville, IL; three sons: David Benson of Caseyville, IL, Donnie (Cassandra) Benson of Troy, IL, and Michael (Cassie) Benson of Caseyville, IL; seven grandchildren: Blake, Carson, Parker, Olivia, Alexandra, Kynslee, and Adelyn (Stone); brother, Terry (Brenda) Phelps of Collinsville, IL; two sisters: Tammy Phelps of Collinsville, IL, and Karen (Dwayne) Gross of Collinsville, IL; two sisters-in-law: Denise (Ron) Tonies of Ohio, and Donna (Mike) Lanter of Caseyville, IL; two brothers-in-law: Keith Benson of Collinsville, IL, and Kevin (Susie) Benson of Maryville, IL; father-in-law, Dave Benson, Sr.; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 3pm to 6pm on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.

Services will follow at 6pm, with Pastor Forrest Jason Hurst officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Siteman Cancer Center and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 North Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.