Cecelia Benson, age 92 of Detroit Lakes, MN, died on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at her home in Detroit Lakes.

Cecelia Helen Skrypek was born June 24, 1915 in Long Prairie, MN, the daughter of Casimir and Katherine (Eischens) Skrypek. As a child, she moved with her family to St. Leo, MN, and later to Olivia, MN. When she was entering fourth grade, they moved to the Waubun, MN, area. She attended school near there and helped her mother raise the family. Cecelia worked for a time as a nanny and housekeeper for a family in St. Paul, MN.

On December 24, 1932 she was united in marriage to Walter Benson in St. Paul. Soon after, the couple moved back to Waubun. In 1937, they built a house on a farm east of Waubun where they made their home for over 60 years. Cecelia was a devoted housewife and mother, often helping with the farm work. While busy raising her three children as well as her granddaughter, Connie, she never complained about milking cows, hauling corn or helping hay. In September of 2003, Cecelia and Walter moved to Detroit Lakes. After his death in December of that year, she remained in her apartment there.

Cecelia was an active member of Lake Grove Lutheran Church. Over the years she served on various committees, was a Sunday school teacher, and was always involved with the fall dinners. She greatly enjoyed the church quilting group and looked forward to the visits with her friends. She was an excellent cook and baker, especially known for her buns, potato salad and mocha cakes. Cecelia liked to garden and took great pride in her flowers. She truly treasured her family and spent as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Cecelia is survived by one son, Jerome (Madeline) of Waubun; one daughter, Arlene (Verlyn) Skersick of Bemidji, MN; her granddaughter, Connie (Kerry) Skersick of Detroit Lakes, MN; eleven additional grandchildren: Kathy Gomall, Kenny Benson, Linda Adams, JoAnn Zurn, Cindy Adams, Marlene Stalberger, Carol Stalberger, Roger Benson, Keith Skersick, Doug Skersick, and Dan Skersick; 30 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Ambrose Skrypek of Minneapolis; two sisters, Lillian Vancise of Longview, WA, and Agnes Fagre of Edina, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons, Larry and Stanley; five brothers, Edward, Joseph, Lawrence, Henry and Alphonse; a grandson, Thomas Skersick; and a great grandson, Cody Skersick.