Bernice Benson, 85, Albert Lea
Published 10:14 am Monday, March 14, 2011
The funeral service for Bernice Benson, of Albert Lea, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bernice died on Saturday morning, March 12, 2011, at Good Samaritan Center. She was 85.
She was born on Nov. 25, 1925, in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Iver and Pauline (Haugen) Kvandal. She graduated from high school in Brandon, S. D.
Bernice married Garfield “Gus” Benson on Oct. 6, 1956, in Canton, South Dakota. They had lived in the Sioux Falls area and then made their home in Albert Lea since 1969. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church. Bernice enjoyed reading, flowers, baking, shopping, but mostly just spending time with family.
Bernice is survived by her children: Lana Lopez of Hawthorne, Calif., Kevin (Jill) Benson of Eagle Lake, Robin (John) Kelly of Albert Lea and Heidi (Randy) Skophammer of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Tyler (Ashley) Benson and their daughters: Addisyn and Celeste of Mankato, Landon Benson and special friend, Lindsey Sharits, of Mankato, Benjamin Kelly and special friend, Mariah McGill, of Albert Lea, Brittany Kelly of Albert Lea, Jordan Skophammer of Bloomington and Parker Skophammer of Vermillion, S.D.; brother, Robert Kvandal of Chicago, Ill.; sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Iver and Pauline Kvandal; husband, Garfield “Gus” Benson; brothers: Paul, Donald and Lyle Kvandal; sister, Helen Hunley; and grandson, Steven Hicks.
We have been truly blessed to have had such a wonderful, caring, loving and giving mother. Her keen sense of humor always put a smile on our face. She will be greatly missed.