Larry Benda, 67

Larry James Benda, 67, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Spokane, Wash.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho, with Pastor Kevin Carlson of New Song Bible Church officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery.

Larry was born August 10, 1955, in Sandpoint to Arnold and Dorothy Benda. He grew up and attended schools in Sandpoint, graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1974. He then worked in area lumber mills and drove truck.

Larry married Valerie Cragun on May 3, 2008, in Sandpoint. He worked for Idaho Forest Group for 41 years, retiring this year as Boiler and Kiln supervisor. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, camping, gardening, family time and traveling with Valerie. Larry had an active sense of humor that was always delivered with a twinkle in his eyes. He was an amazing man loved by his wife, family and friends, and is already dearly missed.

Larry is survived by his wife, Valerie Benda of Sandpoint; son, James Benda of Sandpoint; daughter, Kimberly (Chris) Swoboda of Priest River; daughter, Emily Patton of Post Falls; son, Larry Cragun of Boise; 13 grandchildren; sister, Shirley Evans of Ponderay; and five brothers, Arnold Benda of Cocolalla, Don (Brenda) Benda of Hillsboro, Ore., Rex (Sandee) Benda of Rathdrum, Randy Benda of Clark Fork and Cliff (Terri) Benda of St. Maries. He is also survived by his mother-in-law June Dull of Sandpoint; in-laws Larry and Jona Bacon, Richard Dull, and Jerry and Molly Dull.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Christina Mason.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Larry’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.