Kai Scott Benson

"It's my very favorite place. I feel closer to you there. We rock the hours away. Me and your Teddy Bear. The rocking chair is squeaking, as rocking chairs will do. I pretend the one I'm holding isn't a Teddy Bear, but you.

I miss your little chubby cheeks. They were so fun to kiss. Cuddling you, and hearing you laugh are the things I miss. Precious memories of you are in the air. My child, I miss you so. I hope one day my heart will heal. It's so hard to let you go. When in time God calls me home to be with you up there. With Joy I'll hold you in my arms instead of Teddy Bear."

"They say there is a reason. They say that time will heal. But neither time nor reason will change the way I feel. No one knows the heartache that lies behind my smile. No one knows how many times I've broken down and cried. I want to tell you something, so there won't be any doubt. You're so wonderful to think of, but so hard to be without."

Kai "Handsome" Benson passed away unexpectedly on February 7, 2021, in Rosholt, South Dakota.

Funeral services to celebrate Kai's life will be Saturday, February 13, at 11:00 a.m. at the Living Word Full Gospel Church in rural Sisseton. Rev. Nancy Quatier will be the officiant. Masks are recommended. The service will be livestreamed on the Eggers Funeral Home Facebook page.

Burial will be at a later date at the Goodwill Cemetery, Sisseton.

Kai was born on September 17, 2020, in Sisseton, South Dakota, to mother Jennifer Rikimoto and father Eric Benson. Kai loved when people would talk to him, hearing funny noises, taking baths, and being held with his fox blanket.

Kai is survived by his mother Jennifer Rikimoto and father Eric Benson of Rosholt; siblings, Isaiah and Reina Zamaniego of Gibbon, MN, Angelica Zamaniego, John Goehring, Jr., and Harper Goehring all of Rosholt, and Noah Benson of Sisseton; grandparents, Deb (Dave) Van Gorkom of Kulm, ND, Boyd Rikimoto of Watertown, SD, Dale Benson of Sisseton, and Juanita Trevino of Sisseton; great-grandmothers, Roberta Trevino and Doris Benson, both of Sisseton; aunts and uncles, Justin Rikimoto of Rosholt, Chad (Jess) Rikimoto of Wheaton, Crystal (Marshal) Loney of Rosholt, Casey (Marissa) Martinek of Arkansaw, WI, Mandy (Bryan) Grimmer of Sisseton, Pauline (Darin) Yammerino of Sisseton, and Niki Easterby of New Effington; and numerous cousins.

Kai was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Larry and Jean Martinek, Richard and Betty Rikimoto, and Gerald Benson; aunt, Mandi Rikimoto; and cousins, Trentin and Blaine Rikimoto.