G. Irene Benesh, 86, Ada, Minnesota, died Wednesday, October 08, 2014, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.

Gladys Irene Jacobson was born July 31, 1928, in the country near Shelly, MN, the daughter of Carl and Emelia (Grosfield) Jacobson. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, near Shelly. Irene was one of five children growing up on the family farm. She graduated from Halstad (MN) High School. Irene met Kenneth Benesh and they were married October 26, 1950, at Bethany Lutheran Church. They made Ada their home.

Irene enjoyed working at Aalgaard Photography in Ada immensely, and she always enjoyed taking pictures and having her picture taken. Irene and Kenneth raised four children in Ada. They both loved the city of Ada, Grace Lutheran Church, Norman County, and the state of Minnesota. They loved fishing on Saturdays and family vacations at various lakes across the state of Minnesota. After Kenneth's passing, Irene enjoyed playing bingo with friends and her outings to Fargo, Fertile, Crookston, and Mahnomen. Irene was a great cook, a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. We all count it a blessing how she got to enjoy visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Irene had a wonderful life of 86 years, as she did what she wanted to do, when she wanted to do it. Irene's sharp wit and sense of humor was intact until the time Jesus took her home and reunited her with Kenneth after being apart for 27 years.

Special thanks go to her daughter, Deb for the love and special relationship they shared. Also to Lowell and Gayle, Mabel, Steve and Marilyn, the Halstad Living Center, and all those in Ada who have helped her over the years with snow in the driveway, grass in the yard, delivery of meals, maintenance on her house and for being her friend.

Irene is survived by her children: Deb (Bob) Anderson, Little Falls, MN, Kay (Tom) Fisher, Follansbee, WV, Bruce Benesh, Columbia, SC, and Kevin (Belinda) Benesh, Fort Worth, TX, a brother: Lowell (Gayle) Jacobson, Ada, 8 grandchildren: Erik Anderson, Keith Fisher, John, Connie, and Barbara Benesh, Laura Mitchell, Rebecca Gillespie, and Scott Benesh, 2 great grandchildren: Ray and Mac Anderson, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents, husband Kenneth, 2 sisters: Evelyn Lee and Junice Tengesdahl, and one brother Morris Jacobson.

Memorials are suggested to: Grace Lutheran Church, Ada Borup Scholarship Foundation, Heart Of The Valley Golf Club, or the organization of your choice.

Funeral: 3:00PM Saturday, October 11, 2014, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: Friday from 5PM to 7PM at Fredrikson Funeral Home, Ada, MN.

Burial: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.