Kathryn (Kay) Jennie Begeal Bentzen, 92, died August 22, 2017, at MorningStar Senior Living Residence in Idaho Falls.

She was born November 3, 1924, in the village of Walton, New York, to Archibald and Bertha Mattice Begeal, farmers near the Hamden area.    At the young age of 9, Kay and her younger sister Dorothy were cared for by neighbor's due to their Father's untimely death from WWI gas exposure complications and pneumonia.  Soon after his death, the family moved to Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey to live with their mother's only sister, Jenny, and her husband Daniel Applegate, who owned a hardware store there.

As WWII was threatening, Kathryn "Kay" Begeal, only 17, married Francis "Skeets" Bentzen on September 12, 1942, with her mother's blessing.  While Skeets was in the service working on the Manhattan Project, Kay moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico with her year-old son (Keith).  After the war, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they built a house, Skeets got his Master's Degree in Nuclear Physics, and the family thrived.  In 1954 the family relocated to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where they built their current residence and raised their three children (Keith, Craig, and Gary).

Kay was a prayerful Christian woman and a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church. She studied her Bible, often reading it through each year.  She was devoted to her Lord, husband, family and friends.  Her infectious smile and caring attitude were reflected in her life of Christian fellowship and joy in entertaining.  She was a fabulous cook!  She loved traveling, hiking, skiing, camping and nature, and made several trips to Europe (Switzerland) to visit her son Craig and his family there.

She is survived by the following:                                                                                                                          sons: Keith Lawton (Kaye) Bentzen of Arvada, CO and Craig Leigh (Sharon) Bentzen of Geneva Switzerland;                                                                                                                                                    grandsons: Chris (Anna) Bentzen of Reno, NV: Brady (Molly) Bentzen of Santee, CA; Daniel Bentzen of Idaho Falls, ID; Blake (Corrine) Bentzen of Greenwich, CT: and Elliot (Crissy) Bentzen and Ian (Emily) Bentzen of Geneva, Switzerland;                                                                                                                 granddaughter:  Amy (Craig) Smith of Houston, TX.                                                                                            great grandchildren:  Ten (seven in the United States and three in Switzerland).

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, and a son, Gary Wade Bentzen.

Memorial Services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Calvary Baptist Church, 785 First St., Idaho Falls, Idaho with Pastor Matt McGukin officiating.

In lieu of Flowers, the family suggests mission contributions to Calvary Baptist Church in remembrance of Kay Bentzen and her life-long support of missions.

Arrangements are under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls, ID.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com