Gladys Josephine (Engesmoe) Benson

Gladys Benson, of Montevideo, the wife of Alton Benson and the mother of Darrel Benson, Shirlene Sorby and Diane Loose, died on Sunday, August 25, 2002 at the Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo at the age of 83.  Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 1:30 PM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Baxter with Rev. Larry Gedde officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday afternoon and evening, with the family from 5:30 - 7:00 PM and with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.

Gladys Josephine (Engesmoe) Benson was born October 9, 1918 in Hansonville Township, Lincoln County, MN the daughter of Peter and Hannah (Moseng) Engesmoe.  She was baptized in Hendricks, MN and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Baxter November 1, 1931.  Gladys was united in marriage with Alton Benson November 9, 1936 at Dawson, MN.  They lived for 48 years in Baxter Township, Lac Qui Parle County, MN before moving into Montevideo in 1984.  She had been a resident of Luther Haven Nursing Home the past 9 months.  Gladys was a member of homemakers, 4-H, Farmer’s Union, and the Ladies Aid.  She enjoyed baking, sewing, making Sunday night suppers for family, and gardening.

She is survived by her husband, Alton; 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 (Keith) Hanson, Darin (Nancy) Sorby, Lana (Chad) Heggestad, Steven (Lisa) Grengs, Debra (Ken) Rhode, Julie (Kevin) Rhode, and Leon (Janae) Benson; and 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.

Preceding her in death were her parents and one grandson, Jon Sorby.