FOREST CITY - Blanche M. Benson, 91, of Forest City died Sunday, February 8, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Forest City.
Memorial services will be held 2 P.M., Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Rev. Rod Hopp officiating.
Her body was cremated. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or the Good Samaritan Society in Forest City. Cataldo Schott Funeral Home in Forest City is in charge of arrangements.
Blanche Marie Benson, the daughter of Arthur “Bliss” and Alma (Drugg) Charlson, was born February 25, 1923 on a farm near Buffalo Center. She grew up in Buffalo Center and graduated from Buffalo Center High School. On June 20, 1944 she was married to Victor Benson at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. They rented several farms before purchasing their farm northeast of Forest City. Blanche was a busy farm wife and mother of six. They resided on the farm until they moved into the Good Samaritan Society in Forest City in 2011. Victor passed away on February 21, 2013. Blanche enjoyed singing with Victor as he played guitar. They entertained groups with their singing over the years. She also enjoyed playing cards and having “coffee” with friends.
She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she participated in a number of activities over the years.
Blanche is survived by her six children and spouses, Janet (Tom) Oakleaf of Manchester, James (Jane) Benson of Forest City, Carol (Dan) Edmondson of Decorah, Dale (Susan) Benson of Forest City, Linda (Kirk) Whittlesey of Humboldt and Mark Benson (Dennis Haney) of Des Moines; fifteen grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Lydia Charlson of Buffalo Center, Dorothy Etzen of Forest City and Marjorie Anderson of Forest City; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Victor; grandson, Jerimy Benson; sister, Vivian Bowers; brothers, Russell Charlson and Carroll Charlson; sisters-in-law, Alice Gerdes, Adeline Charlson and Thelma Smith; and brothers-in-law, Norman Benson, Vance Benson Robert Benson and Harold Bowers.
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