Watch Madeline's Mass of Christian Burial

Madeline Marie Benson, age 90, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord on October 31, 2023.

Madeline was born to Michael and Katherine Ahles at their farm near Waubun, MN, on March 30, 1933.  She was raised on the farm with her brothers: Leonard, Ervin and Herbert.  She attended and graduated from Waubun School in 1951.  During the last few years of school, Madeline anxiously waited for her cousin, Mary Ann, to hand deliver love letters from her neighborhood sweetheart.  On September 30, 1952, Madeline married her sweetheart, Jerome Leland Benson.  Together they moved east of Waubun and started a farm and a family of their own.  Madeline and Jerome were blessed with two sons and six daughters.  They spent almost 69 years working alongside one another on the dairy farm.  During those years, Madeline had many responsibilities.  She fed and milked the cattle then fed and raised the kids.  She planted and canned the garden then cooked and cleaned their home.  Madeline logged with Jerome in the woods and kept the farm running when he was trucking.  In her free time, she loved to be outdoors; camping, traveling, riding snowmobile, birdwatching and in her later years driving her golf-cart.  She enjoyed sewing, playing cards, visiting, coloring and spoiling her grandchildren.  Madeline was a lifelong member of St. Ann's Church of Waubun, MN and always enjoyed participating in church activities.  Above all else, Madeline took great pride in every child, grandchild, great grandchild and great-great grandchild in her life.  She just welcomed her 3rd Great-great grandbaby and was eagerly awaiting the birth of her 55th Great grandbaby.  Where there will always be a giant Grandma sized hole in our hearts, there will always be a legacy of love.

Madeline is survived by her eight children: Kathy (Bill) Gomall, Kenny (Kim) Benson, Linda (Brian) Adams, JoAnne (Gordon) Zurn, Cindy Adams, Marlene (David) Stalberger, Carol (Bill) Stalberger all of Waubun, and Roger (Deanna) Benson of Bluffton, MN; her sisters-in-law, Mary Olene Ahles of Waubun and Arlene (Verlyn) Skersick of Lake George, MN; and several nieces and nephews.  Madeline also leaves behind 25 Grandchildren, 55 Great-Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Madeline is proceeded in death by her loving husband, Jerome Benson; Granddaughter, Jodi Gomall Ahles, Son-in-law, Bruce Adams; her parents, Michael and Katherine Ahles; and brothers: Leonard, Herbert (Mary Ann) and Ervin; and many special friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 3, 2023, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Waubun, MN.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Waubun, MN.