Benson, Frances M. (1923-2016)

BENSON, BRENDEN, HALVERSON, BECK, FREEMAN, PETERSBURG

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 8/30/2016 at 13:19:35

Frances M. Benson
October 17, 1923 - July 24, 2016

Frances M. Benson, 92, of Forest City, died on Sunday, July 24, 2016, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Frances Mae Benson, a daughter of Arthur and Clarinda (Halverson) Brenden, was born on October 17, 1923, in Fertile. She grew up on a farm west of Fertile and graduated from Fertile High School. Then, she continued her education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. During her summer breaks from college, she worked as a laboratory assistant for the University of Minnesota researching penicillin and chlorophyll.

After graduating from St. Olaf in 1945, she became a laboratory instructor at the college for one year. On October 26, 1946, she married Stanton Benson at the Fertile Lutheran Church. They lived near Joice where they raised their children. After their children had started school, she taught in the science department at Lake Mills Community High School for twenty-seven years, retiring in 1986. She continued to live on the farm until 2015 when she moved to Forest Plaza Assisted Living in Forest City. She enjoyed reading, gardening, quilting, and studying the Bible. A member of the Pilot Knob Lutheran Church, she participated in Women of Life Ministries and belonged to the Martha Circle.

Frances is survived by her four children, Rachel (Charles) Beck, of Chisago City, Minnesota, Peter (Jolene) Benson, of Wasilla, Arkansas, Evangeline (Steve) Freeman, of Windsor, Colorado, and Dan (Tammy) Benson, of Joice; thirteen grandchildren; and nineteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Stanton; and a sister, Lavonne Petersburg.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at the Pilot Knob Lutheran Church southeast of Forest City. A private burial will follow at Brush Point Cemetery near Fertile. There will be no visitation. The Cataldo Schott Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Copyright © 2016, Cataldo Schott Funeral Home

Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen