1929
Kenneth
2004
Kenneth Benson
July 2, 1929 — May 11, 2004
Kenneth O. Benson
July 2, 1929 - May 11, 2004
Kenneth Oliver Benson, son of Oliver and Mattie (McCartney) Benson, was born in the Ortonville, Minnesota Hospital on July 2, 1929. He and his sister Norma grew up on the farm and attended country school in Big Stone Township, Minnesota.
After graduating from Ortonville High School, he attended the Minnesota School of Agriculture in Saint Paul, Minnesota for one year. While attending school, he worked part time for Dayton's Department Store.
Upon returning to the family home in rural Big Stone City, he enlisted in the Ortonville National Guard Artillery. Upon their activation in January of 1951, he traveled with the unit to Camp Rucker, Alabama for further training. When the call came for volunteers for active duty in Korea, he answered it and was shipped to Korea on a long ocean voyage.
His training with the Ortonville Guard Unit proved beneficial as he was given the designation of chief of firing battery, supervising a 155 Howitzer crew. Because of their proficiency, they were given the honor of firing the millionth round of ammunition fired during the Korean War. Upon completion of his tour of duty in Korea, he returned to Ortonville in May of 1952. He remained in the Army Reserve and attained the rank of second lieutenant.
He worked at various jobs upon his return and farmed with his father as well.
On December 21, 1953, he was united in marriage with Lila Shannon at the Clinton Methodist Church. They resided with his parents on their farm near Big Stone City, SD. While living at Big Stone, his two sons, Bruce and Dick were born.
In the spring of 1960, Lila's father passed away and Ken formed a farming partnership with Lila?s brother, Glenn Shannon, in Prior Township. Their home farm was purchased in the fall of 1960 and the family moved to Clinton, MN.
Ken cared for the land as he did his family, with tender loving care. He was talented in so many ways and willing to share his talents and abilities with others.
He was a member of the Clinton United Methodist Church, Sunrise Lodge #294 of Clinton, served on numerous advisory boards, Campbell-Williams Post 258, Ortonville VFW, National Farmers Organization, Clinton School Board and Church Boards. He gave of his time and love to so many in the community, but most importantly to him and his family were the young lives that he touched and quietly inspired.
On May 11, 2004, Ken passed away at Graceville Hospital surrounded by his family and loving caregivers.
He is survived by his wife, Lila; sons, Bruce and his wife Josean, Dick and his wife Melisa, all of Clinton, MN; grandchildren, Kayla Benson, Alaina Benson, Bryce Benson, Morgan Benson, and Carly Benson; great grandson, Keaten Kenneth Benson, all of Clinton, MN; sister, Norma Bracht and husband, Gordon, of Twin Brooks, SD; and brother, Walter Robertson and his wife, Lorene of Ortonville, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Mattie.
July 2, 1929 - May 11, 2004
Kenneth Oliver Benson, son of Oliver and Mattie (McCartney) Benson, was born in the Ortonville, Minnesota Hospital on July 2, 1929. He and his sister Norma grew up on the farm and attended country school in Big Stone Township, Minnesota.
After graduating from Ortonville High School, he attended the Minnesota School of Agriculture in Saint Paul, Minnesota for one year. While attending school, he worked part time for Dayton's Department Store.
Upon returning to the family home in rural Big Stone City, he enlisted in the Ortonville National Guard Artillery. Upon their activation in January of 1951, he traveled with the unit to Camp Rucker, Alabama for further training. When the call came for volunteers for active duty in Korea, he answered it and was shipped to Korea on a long ocean voyage.
His training with the Ortonville Guard Unit proved beneficial as he was given the designation of chief of firing battery, supervising a 155 Howitzer crew. Because of their proficiency, they were given the honor of firing the millionth round of ammunition fired during the Korean War. Upon completion of his tour of duty in Korea, he returned to Ortonville in May of 1952. He remained in the Army Reserve and attained the rank of second lieutenant.
He worked at various jobs upon his return and farmed with his father as well.
On December 21, 1953, he was united in marriage with Lila Shannon at the Clinton Methodist Church. They resided with his parents on their farm near Big Stone City, SD. While living at Big Stone, his two sons, Bruce and Dick were born.
In the spring of 1960, Lila's father passed away and Ken formed a farming partnership with Lila?s brother, Glenn Shannon, in Prior Township. Their home farm was purchased in the fall of 1960 and the family moved to Clinton, MN.
Ken cared for the land as he did his family, with tender loving care. He was talented in so many ways and willing to share his talents and abilities with others.
He was a member of the Clinton United Methodist Church, Sunrise Lodge #294 of Clinton, served on numerous advisory boards, Campbell-Williams Post 258, Ortonville VFW, National Farmers Organization, Clinton School Board and Church Boards. He gave of his time and love to so many in the community, but most importantly to him and his family were the young lives that he touched and quietly inspired.
On May 11, 2004, Ken passed away at Graceville Hospital surrounded by his family and loving caregivers.
He is survived by his wife, Lila; sons, Bruce and his wife Josean, Dick and his wife Melisa, all of Clinton, MN; grandchildren, Kayla Benson, Alaina Benson, Bryce Benson, Morgan Benson, and Carly Benson; great grandson, Keaten Kenneth Benson, all of Clinton, MN; sister, Norma Bracht and husband, Gordon, of Twin Brooks, SD; and brother, Walter Robertson and his wife, Lorene of Ortonville, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Mattie.