Kenneth Ray (Kenny) Benso, 79, of Village of Loch Lloyd, Missouri, passed away at 10:58 a.m., Friday, May 27, 2022, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas. Kenny was born Mar. 6, 1943 in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Mike and Sadie Saia Benso. He grew up in Franklin, Kansas, attended Franklin Elementary School and graduated from Arma High School in 1961. Kenny attended Vocational Technical Training School at Pittsburg State University, majoring in HVAC and Refrigeration. After graduation he moved to Kansas City and worked for Scurlock-Erickson, where he served his five-year apprenticeship program through the Pipefitters Local Union #533. He also worked for multiple companies: Midwest Mechanical Contractors, Hager Refrigeration, Bill Fagan, Environmental Contractors, Paragon Mechanical Contractors, U.S. Engineering, and Harris Brothers. Kenny started his own refrigeration business in 1983 and owned Benso, Inc. for 34 years.
He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Jo Blazic on Dec. 28, 1963, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. They were married 58 years. He was a member of the St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City. Kenny loved spending time with his family and friends. His passion was drag racing. He built race cars and raced in the IHRA circuit. He also enjoyed fishing, going to the Kansas City Chiefs’ games, and watching his grandchildren’s activities, whether it was dance recitals, cheer, soccer games or band concerts. He enjoyed all of them. He was a wonderful husband, father, Papa, and friend.
Survivors include his wife, Linda, two daughters, Timi Marie Shamblin and her husband David, and Juli Ann Nyquist, both of Leawood, Kansas and five grandchildren, Anna and Lea Shamblin, Tyler, Madison and Chance Nyquist, step grandchildren, Kalee Oswald (Mike), Erica Nyquist, Katelyn Moberly (Dean) and Cassidy Nyquist, and nine step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Donnie Benso.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri. The Rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Interment at Garden of Memories, Pittsburg, Kansas.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/. Fond Memories may be shared at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.
