Barbara S. Benbow

Barbara Sue Benbow
February 5, 1951 ~ May 18, 2024

Barbara Sue Benbow, 73, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Lindsborg, KS. She was born February 5, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN to Eloise (Sally) and George Mattison.

While she was raised in San Jose, CA, she returned to Minnesota shortly after she graduated from high school. She was united in marriage to R. Martin Benbow in Minneapolis on October 30, 1970. The couple settled in Conway Springs, KS, Martin’s hometown.

Sue, as she preferred to go by, was a passionate and talented baker. She began baking and decorating cakes at just 10 years old. Into adulthood, her skills in baking, candy making and cooking led her to create a thriving home-based business - Sue’s Sweets. Sue’s cakes were part of special celebrations for thousands of people in central Kansas over the years - weddings, birthdays, showers, graduations, quinceaneras, and everything in between.

In 2002, Sue and Martin moved to Lindsborg to be closer to their first grandchild. Soon after, Sue’s dream of opening a bakery came true. She and her daughter, Marjorie, opened and operated The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker (known as the BBC) for over 8 years on Lindsborg’s iconic Main Street. She loved meeting visitors from all over the world, and formed lasting friendships with many of the BBC’s regular customers.

Sue was also the strongest person most had ever met, whether they knew it or not. Diagnosed with lupus at just 33, Sue never gave up. She defied all odds, surviving two separate kidney transplants in 1997 and 2000, and a host of other health challenges over the past 40 years, all while working full-time, running her businesses, raising a family and traveling with her sisters.

Sue is survived by her husband Martin, daughter Marjorie Anderson of Lindsborg, KS, son Allen (Annika) Benbow of Fort Collins, CO, grandchildren Brett, Mattias, Elin, Stella and Logan; her brother Scott (Janet) Mattison and sisters Meri Taylor and Jan (David) Kohl.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date. However if you would like to remember her now, grab a piece of cake, a cookie or a coffee with Irish Cream and think of sweet Sue.