Benson, Anders Berger (1881-1960)

BENSON, NELSON, SWENSON, AXELSON, GRIENKE, MARTIN, STONER, NEIMEIER

Posted By: Leah Condon (email)
Date: 5/9/2013 at 22:12:00

Anders Berger Benson
August 10, 1881 - September 5, 1960

Anders Berger Benson was born on August 10, 1881, at Trasslof, Holland, Sweden, to Bengt and Johanna Nelson. Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church, he received his elementary schooling in his native land. At the age of 22 years, Mr. Benson immigrated to America 1903. After a short time, however, he went back to his homeland, and while there, he married Anna Sophia Swenson on November 11, 1906. To this union were born eight children. In May, 1913, he came back to America, bringing his family with him and settling in the Alta community.

After his return to America, Mr. Benson farmed in this community until 1938 when he moved into residency in Alta. He enjoyed relatively good health and strength in his day until two years ago when he began to fail noticeably. After about a month as a patient at the Alta Hospital, he entered the Morgan Nursing Home in Storm Lake on March 8, 1960, where he resided until his death. He passed away early on the morning of September 5, 1960, having reached the age of 79 years and 25 days.

Mr. Benson is survived by his children, two sons, Oscar, of Alta, and Donald, of Minneapolis; and five daughters, Bertha (Mrs. Edwin Axelson), Millie (Mrs. Paul Grienke), and Geneva (Mrs. Martin), all of Alta, Sylvia (Mrs. John Stoner), of Peterson, and Frances (Mrs. Louis Neimeier), of Holstein; nineteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers in Sweden and one brother, Lars Benson, who resides in Wisconsin. Preceding him in death were his wife, Mrs. Anna Benson, who died in 1956; a son, John, who died in 1929; and a grandson, Donald Neimeier, who died in infancy; as well as one sister and three brothers.

Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, September 8, 1960, at 2:00 p.m. from Trinity Lutheran church with the Rev. Herbert G. Peterson officiating. Burial was made in the Scandinavian Cemetery beside his wife. The Jones Funeral Home took charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Carl Turnquist, organist, and Lawrenece Turnquist, soloist, provided the music at the services. Pall bearers included Gordon Berquist, Clyde Peterson, Elmer Anderson, Gunnar Johnson, Raymond J. Anderson, and Ernest Gustafson. Mr. and Mrs. Hjalmar Anderson and Mrs. Gunnar Johnson took charge of the floral arrangements.

Alta Advertiser, 15 Sep 1960.