Frances M. Benson

Frances M. Benson, 92, Forest City, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2016 at the Lake Mills Care Center. A memorial service was held Tuesday, July 26, at Pilot Knob Lutheran Church, southeast of Forest City.  A private burial was  held held at Brush Point Cemetery, near Fertile. Cataldo Schott Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Frances Mae Benson, the daughter of Arthur and Clarinda (Halverson) Brenden, was born Oct. 17, 1923 in Fertile.  She grew up on a farm west of Fertile and graduated from Fertile High School.
Frances continued her education at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.  During her summer breaks from college, she was employed 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 Oct. 26, 1946 she was married to Stanton Benson at Fertile Lutheran Church.  They lived near Joice where they raised their children.  After their children were in school, she taught in the science department at Lake Mills Community High School for 27 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 Bible studies.
She was a member of Pilot Knob Lutheran Church, where she was part of Women of Life Ministries and belonged to Martha Circle.
Frances is survived by her four children: Rachel (Charles) Beck, Chisago City, Minn.; Peter (Jolene) Benson, Wasilla, Alaska; Evangeline (Steve) Freeman, Windsor, Colo.; and Dan (Tammy) Benson, Joice; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stanton; and a sister, Lavonne Petersburg.

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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