Our Family Serving Yours For Over 50 Years

Kaylynn Lofstrom has been with Benders since August 2001, working her way from shoe salesperson to General Manager overseeing all three locations—Grand Rapids, Duluth, and Hibbing. With over two decades in retail and a background in education, she combines hands-on leadership with a passion for developing people, always putting “people before product.” Kaylynn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education from Bemidji State University and an Associate of Arts from Itasca Community College. Outside of work, she enjoys boating, side-by-siding, and life on her mini farm with her family, pets, and chickens, as well as following her daughter’s college basketball games. Rooted in a family business background, Kaylynn brings a deep appreciation for hard work, customer service, and community connection to everything she does.

Mike Nielsen is a Certified Orthotist who has been with Benders for four years, serving customers at all three locations—Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Duluth. With a career spent working alongside Physical Therapists to create braces for patients with neurological conditions such as strokes, MS, cerebral palsy, and TBIs, Mike brings extensive expertise in evaluating the ankle/foot complex and its impact on overall alignment. His goal is always to help customers walk out better than they walked in, reducing pain and improving function. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Boise State University, a Master’s in Orthotics from Century College, and has completed a two-year residency. Since moving to Minnesota to be closer to family, Mike has been embracing life in the North—most recently learning how to fish.

Nina Oberto joined Benders in January 2022 and became a Certified Pedorthist in February 2025. With a background spanning retail sales, insurance, hospitality, and parking, she brings over two decades of customer service experience. Nina is skilled at identifying foot and gait concerns and creating solutions that improve comfort and mobility. She holds an Associate of Arts in General Education from Gogebic Community College and studied Business Administration at UW–Superior. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with loved ones, and is passionate about helping people realize that pain doesn’t have to be part of everyday life.

Karen has been a valued member of the Benders team for 21 years. With a lifelong background in retail, she began her career working in athletic and men's apparel stores and has grown from the sales floor to become the buyer for Athletic, Hiking/Trail, and Men's categories. She has a passion for athletic footwear and enjoys staying up to date on the latest styles, technology, and trends. Known for her loyalty and dedication, Karen takes pride in supporting both her customers and coworkers. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, camping, traveling, reading, snowmobiling, and expressing her creativity through woodworking and store displays.

Taylor Torrance has been part of the Benders team since October 2022, bringing over eight years of customer service and retail experience. She is dedicated to providing a friendly and welcoming experience for every customer who walks through the door, ensuring each interaction is positive and meaningful. Her career with Benders has included roles as a sales associate, Hibbing store manager, and Grand Rapids store manager, and she now serves as a buyer, continuing to grow her impact within the company. Taylor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bemidji State University, which supports her strong people skills and customer-focused approach. Taylor is passionate about helping people and building genuine connections. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.

Kara Morse will celebrate 16 years with Benders in July 2026, bringing more than two decades of retail experience and a strong dedication to both her work and her family. She began her journey at Benders working full time in the women’s clothing department and quickly discovered a passion for merchandising and product selection. While pursuing studies in medical coding, Kara began supporting the apparel buying team by attending markets and offering a valuable perspective. Over time, she chose to continue growing with Benders, advancing from the sales floor to office assistant for the clothing buyer, and ultimately becoming a buyer herself. Her experience and long-term commitment have made her an integral part of the team. Kara is detail-oriented, task-driven, and highly experienced in retail. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, extended family, and friends. Her interests include reading, baking, camping, beach days, crafting with Tenley, and cheering on Drake at his sports events.

Caleb Christianson joined Benders in January 2026, bringing a creative and well-rounded background in marketing, design, and retail. After graduating in 2024 from Minnesota State University of Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in Animation and a minor in Graphic and Interactive Design, Caleb began his marketing career as a marketing assistant for a local tourism bureau before stepping into the role of Art Shop & Design Manager at a local art store, where he organized the shop and managed social media content. With seven years of retail experience and a strong skill set in video and photo editing, enhanced by his work on student films and a major motion picture, Caleb blends creativity with customer insight, enjoying conversations that help him better understand and connect with audiences. He has contributed to website redesigns, created graphics and logos for local businesses, and even supported seven-stage productions of The Wizard of Oz. Outside of work, Caleb enjoys movies, video games, books, fishing, and pottery, and is passionate about creating light-hearted, engaging content that fosters meaningful connections and showcases products customers love.