Erika Flora Bennett

Erika was born in Breslau Germany to Erik and Ottilie Kuehndel on June 1, 1941. Her father was killed in action during WW2. After the war her mother married an American soldier so Erika lived-out her childhood in U.S. military communities in America and Germany. She became a United States citizen when she was 13 years old. She graduated from Fort Knox High School. A few years after graduation she met her husband Bill at the Fort Knox NCO club. Erika loved to share the story about her mother’s earnest effort to unite Erika and Bill (a shy musician that regularly performed at the club). Erika was first and foremost a loving nurturing fulltime mother to three children. She was an excellent seamstress and fantastic cook, and also worked in the banking, retailing and manufacturing industries. Before Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of cognition Erika loved to host family and friends, play card games, attend music concerts… basically anything that provided her an opportunity to laugh and celebrate life with others.

Erika is survived by her husband Bill; her children Billy (Anne), Jennifer, and Karin (Andrew); her grandchildren Rachel (Ryan) and Helen; her nephews Raymond (Liz) and Jim (Linda); and her nieces Diana (Kenny) and Yvonne (Richard). She is preceded in death by her father and mother; her sister Eva (Jessie); and her nephew Glen.

Erika will be cremated. The family will provide details about a celebration of life to be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, and In keeping with her always generous giving spirit, a direct offering to an organization that feeds the needy or an organization working on a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, would be a fitting memorial.