Lloyd Benson, age 71, of Waubun, Minnesota, died Saturday, April 11, 2009, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Waubun.

Lloyd Vernon Benson was born to Edna and Vernon Benson on June 2nd 1937. He was raised east of Waubun, with his brother, Wayne Benson, and his sister, Beatrice (Benson) Purdy.


In his early years, Lloyd worked as a logger and a construction worker. Later he worked at the Waubun Creamery, which was owned by the Kersting family, starting as a milk truck driver and later in the creamery. After the creamery was sold to Cass Clay, Lloyd became the manager and then a field man until his retirement. He loved helping and visiting the farmers and giving ice cream bars to kids of all ages. He was also a farmer himself and took great joy being out on the tractor, cutting a straight windrow of hay, caring for his small herd of cattle, and keeping up a sturdy fence-line. In 1985, the Red River Valley Development Association named Lloyd and Betty the Valley Farm Couple of the year.

No matter if he was cutting wood for the winter or checking the fence line, Lloyd loved to be surrounded by woods and lakes. Over the years, he became an avid hunter and he and his wife, Betty, spent many hours in the fishing boat with Lloyd fishing for crappies and sunfish while Betty was casting for bass. As a father of five and a grandfather of 13, he taught his children to be mindful of the ways and cycles of nature and the valuable life lessons that it teaches. In fact, one of his pieces of advice for life was "Take your kids fishing."


Music was also a very large part of Lloyd's life. He learned to play guitar and sing at a young age and played with the Rancheros and the Berg Benson Band. Over the years, he sang for countless weddings, funerals and special events. Lake Grove Lutheran Church was blessed by his music and not a Christmas went by when he did not sing "Oh Holy Night." In his retirement, Lloyd greatly enjoyed sharing his music for retirement homes.

Lloyd was a family man. He and his wife Betty were married for 52 years and he frequently graced her with bouquets of dandelions, wild roses, clover, and apple blossoms. His children grew up with his music and the silly songs that he made up for them. They knew that they could always depend on Dad for sound advice and a hug. At family get-togethers Lloyd and his family enjoyed working together and singing together.

Lloyd is survived by his entire family. His wife, Betty; two sons, Paul (Shelly) Benson of Waubun, Minnesota, John (Billie Jean) Benson of Hastings, Minnesota; three daughters: Sue (Wilbur) Heisler of Waubun, Minnesota, Mary (Stew) Metelak of Ogema, Minnesota, Margaret (Douglas) Thompson of Tucson, Arizona; brother, Wayne (Jean) Benson of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; sister, Beatrice Purdy of Frazee, Minnesota and his parents, Vernon and Edna Benson of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and countless friends and extended family who will miss his jokes, his laughter, his advice and his music.

Visitation was held Friday, April 17, 2009 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen from 5 to 7 with prayer service at 7 pm. Funeral services were held at 2 pm on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Lake Grove Lutheran Church in rural Waubun, Minnesota led by Reverend Doyle Turner. Special Music provided by Stephen and Doyle D. Turner. Serving as pallbearers were Mark Benson, Gregg Benson, Jeff Nemec, Andy Nemec, Ed Stanhope, Chris Super, Larry Swanson and Danny Amberg. Burial was in Lake Grove Lutheran Cemetery.