Francine Bennis Obituary

Francine Bennis passed away peacefully in Trapper Creek, AK on November 15, 2024. Born
August 9,1956 in Niagara Falls, NY to Joseph and Mary Bennis, she was the youngest of four
daughters. Francine attended the University of New York, Delhi before moving to Alaska where
she obtained a BS in Biology/Geology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She began a
commercial fishing career, eventually owning her own boat. Dogs, dog teams and dog sleddin
became a passion for Francine and when she met Joe Redington Sr he encouraged her to run
in the Iditarod, which she did in 1984. She ran Alaska Snow Dancers Dogsled Tours &
Freighting in Chugiak and Trapper Creek. She also served as an EMT 2 with the Trapper Creek
ambulance. Francine had a private pilot's license and her own small plane and loved to fly
whenever she had the chance. Francine loved the wildness and natural beauty of Alaska. It was
her great joy to be able to visit the bears in the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary two years
ago, the world's largest concentration of brown bears.
Francine was much loved and will be greatly missed by surviving sisters Joni Bennis and
Stephanie Brewer, extended family and many, many friends.
A Celebration of Life will take place in Trapper Creek in Spring 2025. Remember Francine by
being kind to the earth and all her creatures.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francine, please visit our floral store.