1947
Arlen
2012
Arlen Benson
April 29, 1947 — June 22, 2012
Arlen R. Benson, 65, of Ashby died Friday, June 22, 2012 at his residence.
He was born April 29, 1947 in Fergus Falls to Belvin and Christine (Salvavold) Benson. He was baptized and confirmed at Pelican Lake Lutheran Church in Ashby. He graduated from Ashby High School in 1965. Arlen then attended Moorhead State University and Fergus Falls Junior College. He was employed by Plastics, Inc. in St. Paul, MN. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October of 1968 and served until October of 1970 in Vietnam. He received bronze star with valor, Army commendation medal and two purple hearts. Arlen was united in marriage to Ruth Morton on March 16, 1970 at Ft. Hood, TX. After his honorable discharge from the army, Arlen went back to work for Plastics, Inc. until 1973 when they moved to Ashby. He worked for the Ashby Equity, American Legion, and he and Ruth operated Benson Day Care. He most recently worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier in Elbow Lake.
Arlen enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a member of the Ashby American Legion, Fergus Falls VFW, Ashby Fire Department and Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday school for several years.
Arlen is survived by wife, Ruth Benson of Ashby; six children: Michael Benson of Minnesota, Debra (Scott) Burson of Ft. Wayne, IN, Dana (Jim) Collins of Eagan, MN, Deanne Linder of Prior Lake, MN, Bonnie (Russ) Ramsay of Eagan, MN and Beth Ann (Mark) Clevenger of Shoreham, NY; nine grandchildren: Tenae Zondervan; Jacob, Justin and Jared Johnson; Morgan, Alison, and Patrick Collins; and Christian and Evelyn Linder; his brothers: Joel (Margaret) Benson of Minneapolis, MN and Gene (Pam) Benson of Glendale, AZ; and nieces, nephews, relatives and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Levern Benson, sister, Elaine Killen and brother-in-law, Bruce Killen.
Memorials preferred to: Ashby Education Foundation; Memo: early childhood development
c/o Ashby Public School, PO Box 30, Ashby, MN 56309
Visitation: Monday from 5 to 8 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and resuming for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby
Clergy: Rev. Tom Junkert
Burial: Pelican Lake Cemetery in Ashby
Military Honors: Pederson-Tripp American Legion Post 357 – Ashby, MN
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby
Condolences: www.glendenilson.com
He was born April 29, 1947 in Fergus Falls to Belvin and Christine (Salvavold) Benson. He was baptized and confirmed at Pelican Lake Lutheran Church in Ashby. He graduated from Ashby High School in 1965. Arlen then attended Moorhead State University and Fergus Falls Junior College. He was employed by Plastics, Inc. in St. Paul, MN. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October of 1968 and served until October of 1970 in Vietnam. He received bronze star with valor, Army commendation medal and two purple hearts. Arlen was united in marriage to Ruth Morton on March 16, 1970 at Ft. Hood, TX. After his honorable discharge from the army, Arlen went back to work for Plastics, Inc. until 1973 when they moved to Ashby. He worked for the Ashby Equity, American Legion, and he and Ruth operated Benson Day Care. He most recently worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier in Elbow Lake.
Arlen enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a member of the Ashby American Legion, Fergus Falls VFW, Ashby Fire Department and Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday school for several years.
Arlen is survived by wife, Ruth Benson of Ashby; six children: Michael Benson of Minnesota, Debra (Scott) Burson of Ft. Wayne, IN, Dana (Jim) Collins of Eagan, MN, Deanne Linder of Prior Lake, MN, Bonnie (Russ) Ramsay of Eagan, MN and Beth Ann (Mark) Clevenger of Shoreham, NY; nine grandchildren: Tenae Zondervan; Jacob, Justin and Jared Johnson; Morgan, Alison, and Patrick Collins; and Christian and Evelyn Linder; his brothers: Joel (Margaret) Benson of Minneapolis, MN and Gene (Pam) Benson of Glendale, AZ; and nieces, nephews, relatives and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Levern Benson, sister, Elaine Killen and brother-in-law, Bruce Killen.
Memorials preferred to: Ashby Education Foundation; Memo: early childhood development
c/o Ashby Public School, PO Box 30, Ashby, MN 56309
Visitation: Monday from 5 to 8 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and resuming for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby
Clergy: Rev. Tom Junkert
Burial: Pelican Lake Cemetery in Ashby
Military Honors: Pederson-Tripp American Legion Post 357 – Ashby, MN
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby
Condolences: www.glendenilson.com
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