Carol Elaine (Smith) Benitt, 89, died on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Hillcrest Senior Living, after a brief time in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Funeral Services will be at 11 AM Friday, January 6, 2023 Nazareth Lutheran Church, Holt, MN.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN, and one hour before the service.

Burial will follow the service at Holt Cemetery, Holt, MN.

On October 28, 1933, Carol was born to Frank and Alma (Myrold) Smith at Holt, MN.  Carol started her schooling in rural Holt and graduated in 1952 from Newfolden High School, Newfolden, MN.  On June 17, 1953, Carol was united marriage to Elroy Benitt at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Holt, MN.  She worked with Elroy ranching cattle and growing feed for the animals.  On March 24, 1993, Elroy died after a short time with cancer.  Carol lived on the farm with her daughter, Judy, until moving to Thief River Falls, MN, in 2016.  About a year ago, Carol began showing symptoms of ALS and was diagnosed in September of 2022.

Carol was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, serving with the Ladies Aid as president and Treasurer for several years.  She was superintendent of the Sunday School and filled in when teachers were needed.  She was known as the "Flower Lady," who was able to make flowers arrangements last for weeks at the church.  Carol was passionate about quilting, especially sewing with the ladies at Nazareth Lutheran, crafts, and painting.  Her quilting included making blue jean quilts for her family and any repairs as needed.  She served as the Key Leader for 4-H Holt Club for several years.  Carol worked with Tri-Community Living at Home/Block Nurse Program for Viking, Holt and Newfolden, an organization to keep elderly people in their homes.  She worked with this group from inception until 2016.  She also served with the "Keenagers" and as Treasurer for several years, the Happy Holt Homemakers, and Senior Meals Program at Nazareth Lutheran Church for approximately 20 years or more.  She was honored to be the Holt Outstanding Senior Citizen at Marshall County Fair for two years and served on the Marshall County Council on Aging, serving one year as president.

Carol is survived by: Connie (Jerry) Hesse, Thief River Falls, MN; Judy Benitt, Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren: Cassie Guerrero, Brittany (Jon) Thorn, Brandon Hesse, Jacob Hesse, and Anthony Hesse; great-grandchildren: Aaden Guerrero, Elliot Guerrero, and Milo Thorn; a brother, Ron Smith, Milwaukee, WI; sister-in-law, Aileen Benitt, Holt, MN; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Elroy, parents Frank and Alma Smith, sister LuAnn Peterson, brother Kenton Smith, and great-grandson Alexander Guerrero.