Please hold Cathy and her family in your prayers

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Licensed Deacon Thomas Lewis Benzler (Ioway), age 80, was called to his eternal rest on Oct. 3, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. He died peacefully at his home in Port Angeles, Washington, surrounded by family. 

Tom was born July 28, 1938, in Fresno, California to Edward and Kathleen (Tribble) Benzler. Tom graduated from high school in 1956 and went on to serve with the US Army Reserves from April 1957 to November 1962. He then worked for Fresno Irrigation District as an equipment operator until retiring at age 62.  

Tom married the love of his life, Cathy, on June 1, 1974. They moved to Port Angeles, Washington in 2003. He became a Licensed Deacon in 2012 and served under the direction of Lutheran Indian Ministries. Tom loved the Native American Indians and spent most of his time serving on various reservations on the Olympic Peninsula, especially the Lower Elwha Reservation. 

Tom and Cathy were blessed with three children: Miles, Brian and Tammy; and eight grandchildren: Jeremy, Caitlin, Jett, Jonas, Zack, Sylvanna, Desirae, and Joshua. Tom's two brothers, Robert and Frankie, and sister Virginia Amicarelli, all preceded him in death.

Tom Benzler's internment will be at Sequim View Cemetery on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m., with a memorial service to follow at noon at Faith Lutheran Church, 382 W Cedar St., Sequim, WA 98382.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Blessed indeed,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!'" - Revelation 14:13 (ESV)