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Marilee Benson

1955 - 2018

Marilee passed away on March 15, 2018, after a short illness at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Marilee was born in 1955 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Bennie and Betty Benson. She came to North Idaho 40 years ago, working several jobs until 1996, when she started as a rural mail carrier for the Hayden Post Office, then became a full-time carrier until her retirement in 2014.

Before coming to Idaho she traveled to Africa, and when she returned to the States she worked for Lion Country Safari in Southern California as a gatekeeper overseeing the rhinos.

She was a talented artist, and especially liked drawing wildlife, of which she had great opportunities in the park. Marilee loved the outdoors, hiking and birding. She loved animals of all kinds and gave a home to many homeless cats and dogs. She was a prolific and talented writer and poet.

Marilee will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She leaves behind her sister, Carolyn of Hayden, Idaho; brothers Richard Benson of Spokane, Wash., Jim Benson of Aliso Viejo, Calif., Scott Benson of Oakland, Calif., Frank Benson of Austin, Texas; her dog, Mattie; nephew, James; good friend, Mike and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and brother, Stephen.

At the family’s request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers and cards, please send donations to the Kootenai County Humane Society.

Please view and sign Marilee’s online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.