Steven C. Benson

Steven C. Benson, 71, rural Lake Mills, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, July 29, 2021. A public visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at Schott Funeral Homes-Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills. Prayer service will begin at 6:45 p.m., led by Pastor Randy Baldwin, with military honors to follow. Inurnment will take place at Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills, at a later time. A private celebration of Steve’s life will be held by family and close friends sharing company and doing some of his favorite things. Condolences may be sent to the Benson family, PO Box 24, Lake Mills, Iowa.
Steven Craig Benson was born Dec. 31, 1949 in Albert Lea, Minn., to parents John M. and Dorothy (Thompson) Benson. He attended school in Lake Mills. Following his schooling, Steve began tiling with his dad. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving during the Vietnam era and was honorably discharged Dec. 15, 1971.
Steve was married to Della Reicherts, Sept. 7, 1974 at Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills. They have lived in rural Lake Mills their entire married life, and were blessed with two children: Trevor and Katie.
Through the years, Steve helped his father in the tiling business, he owned and maintained a tree nursery, he farmed, and had worked at Deluxe Products/Fleetguard Industries in Lake Mills. He had many hobbies, most of which allowed him be outdoors. He had the ability to fix anything, and spent time tinkering with projects on the farm. He enjoyed beekeeping, fishing, gardening, hunting, and raising all sorts of animals. Steve was good at finding bargains and thrifting. He also enjoyed card games, chess, Monopoly, and playing pool while listening to eight track tapes, amongst many other games.
His children will always remember the countless memories and adventures in the orange Bronco that Steve inherited from his dad. From hunting to fishing and everything in between, the Bronco was part of many outings. Katie remembers being taught how to shift the three on the tree and learned how to steer.
His grandchildren will remember having ice cream with Grandpa, going on rides in the Gator, watching WipeOut on Sundays, fishing adventures and being generously spoiled. Everyone will remember eating cool whip by the spoonful with Steve.
We will always remember his sign off as, “See ya later alligator” and from all the family “After a while crocodile.”
Steve is survived by his wife, Della; two children and four grandchildren: Katie and Mark Wubben, and their son, Josiah; and Trevor and Molly Benson, and their children, Laina, Kora and Johnny, all of Lake Mills. He will also be missed by two special cousins: Bruce Oldfather, Joice; and Gary (Zoraida) VanRavenhorst, Houston, Texas; his mother-in-law, Lorraine Enderson, Lake Mills; and many extended relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy; a brother, Richard “Rick” Benson; special cousin, Danny Brackey; and his father-in-law, Dale Reicherts.