Elaine Benzen Knoche, 83, of Imboden, passed away Monday, May 31, 2021, at her home.

Elaine was born on September 27, 1937, in Lost Creek (Oshkosh) NE. to the late Ruben and Vivian (Wiltrout) Benzen. She graduated from Alliance High School and then got her teaching certificate. Elaine worked as a telephone operator before becoming a mother, the job she excelled at. Four wonderful children called her mother: Joey (Dan), Cheri (Travis), Kevin (Amanda), and Douglas (Hillary). She was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Elaine was a voracious reader and letter writer. She was also a scholar and attended Hebrew class for 9 years. Elaine loved people and reached out to many through her letter writing. People were drawn to her smile and strangers would come up to her to visit with her or touch her.
She loved her church and was a faithful servant of the Lord. She also loved gardening, pen pals, travel, and her family.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents Ruben and Vivian (Wiltrout) Benzen.

She is survived by her children Joey (Dan) Tweedy of Black Rock, Cheri (Travis) Tweedy of Imboden, Kevin (Amanda) Buckwalter of Imboden, Douglas (Hillary) Knoche of Imboden; brothers, Wayne (Sheryl) Benzen of Thornton, CO, Arvid Benzen of Oshkosh NE, Thomas (Carol)Benzen of West Plains, MO, and David (Sue) Evans of Kalispell, MT; and sister Deb (Scott) Sunderman of Lyons NE; grandchildren, Jonathan (Brittany) Tweedy of Pocahontas, Megan (James) Tweedy Armstrong of Pocahontas, Justin (Tesha) Tweedy of Pocahontas, Jennifer Elaine (Wes) Hardin of Dalton, Jessica (Jon) Galbraith of Imboden, Janie Tweedy of Imboden, Jared Tweedy of Pocahontas, January Tweedy (Ricky White) of Romance, Jake, Jeb and Jaden Tweedy all of Imboden, Shane (Lexi) Buckwalter of Imboden, Felicia (Ivan) Segura of Corning, Sammy Jo (Ray) Bocanegra of Imboden, Robin (Austin) Glisson of Pocahontas, Dustin (Sarah) Knoche of Pocahontas and Dylan Knoche of Imboden; many nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends. She was well loved.

Visitation will be 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Thursday June 3, 2021, in the McNabb Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Calvin Botard and Wayne Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in the Home Place Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jonathon Tweedy, Justin Tweedy, Jake Tweedy, Jeb Tweedy, Wes Hardin and Shane Buckwalter.

Honorary pallbearers include Dustin Knoche, Dylan Knoche, Jared Tweedy, James Armstrong, Jon Galbraith, and Cole Hardin.

All services are under the direction of McNabb Funeral Home.