Vernon E. Benson, age 97, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly Waubun, MN, died Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at The Cottage on Emmanuel Community Campus in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Vernon Emil Benson was born January 9th, 1913 in Waubun, Minnesota to Ben and Hannah Benson. He grew up in the Waubun area and attended Adam's School and Waubun High School.


Vernon met Edna Krueger in 1931 and they were married on Nov. 3rd 1934. From there they began building a life of over 75 years together. Vernon and Edna raised three children: Lloyd, Beatrice and Wayne, and assisted in "care and maintenance" of nine of their grandchildren. Later on, four more grandchildren were added to the list. Through the years 26 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grand children expanded their loving family.

Vernon was a member of the first confirmation class at Lake Grove Lutheran church in 1926. With Edna he remained active and faithful in his church and passed that legacy onto his children and grandchildren.


Vernon was a farmer, raising first dairy and then beef cattle until his retirement. But through it all he was a builder at heart. He was employed by the WPA, building bridges and roads, working also with Schermerhorn Ranch, and Goral Potter's Mill. In 1940 he built a home for his family in a valley east of Waubun. Six years later he moved the house a half a mile uphill—with two horses, a stump puller and a box of dynamite— to its current picturesque site where his grandson, Paul Benson, now lives with his family. Vernon built his own barn and later the remaining outbuildings on the farm. He took great pride in building his farm with "my own two hands."

Not only did Vernon build his own farm, but he also built many homes, barns and outbuildings in the Waubun area for other people. He and his friend Karl Haddeland, with the help of expert craftsmen from Norway, constructed the main reception lodge at Many Point Scout Camp, drawing upon Vernon's engineering skills to design and hand-hew logs used for the standards, crossbeams and rafters. He was called upon to assist in building Douglas Lodge at Itasca State Park and some of the original structures at Emmanuel Community in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

In addition to large structures, Vernon specialized in fine woodworking skills of cabinetry and interior finishing. His children and grandchildren treasure the many end tables, coat racks, headboards, children's furniture and countless wooden loons, flower and bird designs, which were painted by "Grandma Vernon."

In retirement Vernon and Edna enjoyed many years of traveling throughout the United States. He was also an avid fisherman, specializing in walleyes. Vernon's wit, charm, twinkling eyes and willing hugs won the hearts of most everyone he met; and he will be missed by all who have known him.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Edna (Krueger) Benson, daughter Beatrice Purdy, son Wayne (Jean) Benson, and daughter-in-law Betty Benson. He also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Sue (Wilbur) Heisler, Mary (Stew) Metelak, John (Billy Jean) Benson, Margaret (Douglas) Thompson, Paul (Michelle) Benson, Mark (Heidi) Benson, Jane (Patrick) Dunagan, Gregg (Nicole) Benson, Christopher (Sue) Super, Adrienne (Sid) Smith, Stephanie (Matt) King, Patricia (David) Wallace and Elizabeth Hanson. He has 26 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Vernon is preceded in death by his son Lloyd Benson, son-in-law Bill Purdy, his parents, one brother, and three sisters. Blessed be the memory of Vernon Benson.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 7, 2010 at 10 am at Lake Grove Lutheran Church, rural Waubun. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm at Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home, Mahnomen, MN.

Interment will be at Lake Grove Cemetery, rural Waubun.