West Liberty, Iowa

Carolyn J. Benge, 86, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty.

Private family services will be held. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Church United or the activities department at Simpson Memorial Home.

Carolyn Jean was born December 3, 1939, the daughter of Fred and Alma (Littlejohn) Langford. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1958 and later received her B.S. degree from the University of Iowa. In her early years, Carolyn worked as a medical technologist at Davis County Hospital in Bloomfield.

On September 25, 1971, she was united in marriage to Roger Benge in Ottumwa. Carolyn and Roger moved to West Liberty in 1977, where she devoted her time to raising their three sons. She later returned to work as a medical technologist at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City and Muscatine General Hospital, eventually retiring from Mercy.

Carolyn was a member of First Christian Church in Ottumwa and attended First Church United in West Liberty. She was also a member of the West Liberty Newcomers Club and served as treasurer for the Boy Scouts in West Liberty.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Roger of West Liberty; three sons, Brian Benge of Iowa City, Bruce (Kim) Benge and their children, Reece and Ian, and Brent Benge of Iowa City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Alma Langford.