Edna Benson, age 96, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly of Waubun, MN, died Monday, June 11, 2012 at Emmanuel Community, Detroit Lakes, MN.

Edna was born January 18, 1916, to John and Augusta Krueger of Bemidji, Minnesota, one of nine children. As a child, she excelled at horseback riding and also drove the local "school bus" (a horse-drawn wagon) while she was in elementary school. On November 3, 1934, she married Vernon Benson, and they raised their family of three childrenand farmed east of Waubun, MN, until they moved to the Emmanuel Community in 2005.

Edna and Vernon lived a full life together and were very active in their congregation at Lake Grove Lutheran Church and in the community. Edna was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Ladies Aid, and a 4-H leader. They both loved music and took special interest in young people. A houseful of singing, dancing, and whist-playing teenagers was a common event as they opened their home to their children's friends, neighbors, and Luther Leaguers. In November of 2009 Edna and Vernon celebrated 75 years of married life together.

"Grandma Vernon" lovingly welcomed her grandchildren with a sparkle in her eye and a warm smile, voicing how glad she was that they came. Their fond memories also include card games, potato dumplings, orange Koolaid, Bugles, stories, music, and looking at family pictures—not to mention "adventures in Grandma's attic."

An excellent seamstress, Edna used her creative ability making her own patterns for the garments she made for her children, grandchildren, family and friends. Quilting was also a "specialty." She loved gardening, canning, making jellies and jams and baking endless supplies of peanut butter and sugar cookies, cakes, breads, and especially pies, which are also delicious memories of her grandchildren.

In their retirement, Edna and Vernon jointly made creative wood crafts which now adorn the homes of nearly everyone in their family.
Edna is survived and remembered by daughter Beatrice Purdy of Frazee, son Wayne (Jean) Benson of Detroit Lakes, daughter-in-law Betty Benson of Waubun, and brother Herbert Krueger of Twin Valley.
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Susan (Wilbur) Heisler, Mary (Stew)Metelak, John (Billie Jean) Benson, Margaret (Doug)Thompson, Paul (Michelle) Benson, Adrienne (Sid) Smith, ChristopherSuper, Mark (Heidi) Benson, Jane (Patrick) Dunagan,Gregg (Nicole) Benson,Stephanie (Matt) King, Patricia Wallace, and Elizabeth Hanson, 26 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Preceding her in death and now reunited with her are her parents; her husband, Vernon; one son, Lloyd; a son-in-law, William Purdy; four brothers, Art, Harry, Walter, and Arnold Krueger; and three sisters, Dorothy Onasch, Florence Sleeth, and Hilda Bjorgan.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, June 15, 2012 at Lake Grove Lutheran Church in rural Waubun, MN.

Visitation will be held at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home on Thursday, June 14, 2012 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm.