Bernard A Benson

Bernard Alfred Benson was born July 2, 1923 at Soldier, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Annie (Tollufsen) Benson. He was baptized by Pastor H.K. Sumner on August 26, 1923, his sponsors were Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Knutson, Benett Tollufsen and Christine Evenson, and was confirmed June 5, 1938 by Pastor E.E. Hoff at Soldier Lutheran Church, Soldier, Iowa. He graduated from Pierson High School in 1942. Bernard enjoyed playing sports like basketball and baseball where he was a pitcher and first baseman, participating in Golden Gloves boxing and skiing, especially, watching the sports. He served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant from May 28, 1945 - November 21, 1946 stationed in Greenland. After his honorable discharge he returned to the Pierson, Iowa, area where he farmed. Bernard was united in marriage to Ruby E. Meier on June 1, 1948 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cushing, Iowa. After their marriage Bernard and Ruby lived and farmed east of Pierson, later moving south of Correctionville, Iowa, and west of Anthon, Iowa. His greatest joy in farming was raising cattle, especially calves and keeping his fields clean of weeds. Eventually, they moved to a farm east of Pierson where they remained until their retirement. Ruby passed away May 6, 2005. Bernard was a member of Salem Lutheran Church. Survivors include his son, Rick (Barbara) Benson of Anthon, IA, son, Mark Benson of Maple Valley, WA, daughter, Ramona (Dean) Weber, of Danbury, IA, and Brad (Charmaine) of Gardner, KS; seven grandchildren, Amber (Shane) Hunwardsen, Tate Benson, Chase (Jen) Benson, Adam, Alisha, Megan and Benjamin Weber; six great-grandchildren, Cole and Cooper Benson, Brooke and Tyler Hunwardsen , Emerson and Preston Benson; brother, Donald (Anita) Benson, sister, Dorothy (Benson) Struve and brother, Marvin (Norma) Benson.Preceding Bernard in death are his parents, Alfred and Annie Benson, wife, Ruby, sister, Norma (Benson) Clausen and a brother, Ernest Benson at age 13 years.