Charlotte 'Char' L. Benik

AITKIN -- Charlotte "Char" L. Benik, age 48, died on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at her residence in Aitkin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, at Willim-Northland Funeral Home in Aitkin. Pastor Dallas Smith of Westside Church, Aitkin, to officiate. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, at the funeral home and one hour prior to services. Interment will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Aitkin.

Charlotte Louise Ferguson was born March 16, 1955, in Chicago, the daughter of John and Shirley (Cote) Ferguson. In 1957, her family moved to Downers Grove, Ill., where Charlotte graduated from high school in 1973. Charlotte moved to the Twin Cities in 1981 and lived there until 1987, at which time she moved to Aitkin. Charlotte was a very loving mother and grandmother blessed with three beautiful children: Catherine, Carol and John, along with two wonderful grandchildren, Alexandrea and William. Char was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and has battled this disease courageously since then. Char has worked for the past 10 years side by side with her special friend, Bob Janzen, in the operation of Janzen Auctioneers, Aitkin. Char and Bob also enjoyed the time they spent together donating their services as auctioneers to wildlife organizations including the Ruffed Grouse Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association for the banquets that are held in the area and abroad. They also enjoyed spending time together in Florida. Char also enjoyed sewing, gardening, crafts and time spent with family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Shirley Ferguson, Arden Hills; special friend, Bob Janzen, Aitkin; children, Catherine, Aitkin, Carol, Olympia, Wash., and John, Aitkin; grandchildren Alexandrea and William; brothers, Thomas (Ann), England, and David (Dana), St. Paul; grandmother, Anna Cote, Downers Grove, Ill.; and many relatives and friends. Her father preceded her in death.