Vicky Benscoter

Long-time Los Lagos Vistas friend and resident Elva “Vicky” Benscoter of Lewiston, ID passed away Friday, Nov. 7, at home. She was 99 years, 10 months, and 14 days old.

Vicky was born Dec. 23, 1925, in Rapid City, S.D., to Theodore and Beatrice Bender. She moved to Spokane and graduated from North Central High School in 1943, then attended business college. She married Robert Gold in 1945 and had two children, Karen Le Gold and Lesley Ann Gold (Kopp). Robert died in 1961.

She and Richard Benscoter married in 1962 in Spokane and moved to Kendrick, ID in 1963, where they farmed lentils on American Ridge. They moved to Lewiston in 1998. She was an avid gardener and loved reading books. She belonged to the Troy Garden Club for many years and was a member of the Evergreen Friendship Club and of the Kendrick Methodist Church. She loved the country and the farm.

Vicky is survived by her husband Richard “Dick;” her sister Dee Saling, of Spokane; and brother Gary Scriven, of Pasco. She is also survived by her daughter Karen Gold, of Seattle; her numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, as well as cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Beatrice Bender; her brother Hilbert Bender; her first husband Robert Gold; and her daughter Lesley (Gold) Kopp.

Dick and Vicky ownwed Los Lagos Vistas condominium 39B. They remodeled it with a chair lift to assist Dick to the second-story bedroom. Vicky, though, didn't want to use it convinced if she didn't use her muscles she'd lose them, and swore she'd crawl up the stairs before using the chair lift.

Dick and Vicy were known for raising a star to the top of a palm tree every Christmas. He first used a sling shot and a small drone to position the star, but when the tree grew too tall, he hired Dave Still to climb the tree and put the star up.

Carla Woolington said Vicky was a dear friend who loved Los Lagos Vistas. Former HOA President Jack Iverson fondly remembered her and her many community contributions. Iverson said family and friends of Los Lagos Vistas express their gratitude for Dick and Vicky's many acts of kindness evidenced by the memorial service attendance.

A graveside service was Saturday, Nov. 15, at the American Ridge Cemetery in Kendrick. Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home of Lewiston handled arrangements. 

Donations in Vicky’s honor can be made to the KJ7 Education Foundation, P.O. Box 503, Juliaetta, ID 83535.