Alton Maynard Benson

Alton Benson, of Montevideo, died on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at the Luther Haven Nursing Home at the age of 96.

Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, February 16, 2003 at 1:30 PM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Baxter with Rev. Roger Olness officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday afternoon from 4 - 6 PM with a prayer service at 6 PM  at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.

Alton Maynard Benson was born on December 20, 1906 near Starbuck, MN to Henry and Ida (Johnson) Benson.  He was baptized and confirmed at Ben Wade Covenant Church near Lowry, MN and attended rural schools.  On November 9, 1936 he was united in marriage to Gladys Engesmoe at the Our Saviours Lutheran Parsonage in Dawson by Rev. G. S. Froiland. They lived and farmed for 48 years in Baxter Township, Lac Qui Parle County, MN before moving into Montevideo in 1984.  He had been a resident of Luther Haven Nursing Home the past 3 ½ years.  He was a member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church of Baxter, Farmers Union and was active in 4H in Baxter Township.  He enjoyed family gatherings, bird watching and animals.

He is survived by three children: Darrel Benson and his wife Ruby of Alexandria, MN, Shirlene Sorby and her husband Paul of Dawson, MN, and Diane Loose and her husband Dennis of Montevideo, MN; 7 grandchildren: Lisa  Hanson, Darin (Nancy) Sorby, Lana (Chad) Heggestad, Steven (Lisa) Grengs, Debra (Ken) Rhode, Julie (Kevin) Rhode, and Leon (Janae) Benson;  12 great-grandchildren: Nathan Stangeland, Kayla Stangeland, Andrew Grengs, Brett Runia, Ashley Wisse, Kortney Rhode, Shawn Grengs, Natasha Heggestad, Jennessa Runia, Alissa Runia, Chantel Heggestad, and Brooklynn Benson and a number of nieces and nephews..

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife Gladys in 2002; one grandson, Jon Sorby; three brothers: Robert, France and Clarence Benson; and two sisters: Charlotte Molander and Mabel Moseng.