Gordon Benson, 80, of Kiester, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at his home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. The Rev. Katie Pals will officiate and interment will be in Zion Cemetery. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Gordon was born May 3, 1932, in Albert Lea, the son of Bennie and Ellen (Seberg) Benson. On Nov. 30, 1957, Gordon Benson was united in marriage to Lois (Schimelpfenig). She was the sweetheart of his life for 55 plus years. To this union four children were born. Gordon was a steward of the land raising cattle and hogs for 40 years, earning Century Farm recognition, but still had time to take the afternoon off to watch his children and grandchildren in their activities. He often said, “If you have a good family — you have everything.” Gordon enjoyed welcoming new people into the community by offering his knowledge and a helping hand. He was a one-man welcoming committee. He enjoyed the challenge of learning new things. Gordon served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 and was a proud member of the American Legion. Throughout his lifetime, Gordon was an active member of the Lions Club, Farming of Yesteryear, Kiester school board, Benco Electric board for 30 years, Faribault County commissioner for eight years, Kiester Co-op Elevator board, and St. Luke’s board. He was active in Zion Lutheran and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, in many capacities. He was a recipient of the Jefferson Good People Award, County Senior Citizen of the Year and Modern Woodman Hometown Hero. His interests included woodworking, the Twins and the Vikings, John Deere, coin collecting, his toy tractor collection, bowling, playing cards with friends and spending time with his family.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Lois, of Kiester; children, Bruce Benson of Jordan, Joyce (Bruce) Frederick of Wells, Diane (Tom) Herrmann of Waconia and Steve (Nancy) Benson of Owatonna; grandchildren, Michael Benson, Nicholas Benson, Matthew Benson, Anne Benson, Adam (fiancee Amanda Dan and her son Adi) Frederick, Jill (Adam) Miller, Krista (Kyle) Muhlenbeck, Daniel (Sara Ness) Herrmann, Brittany Herrmann, Eric Benson, Michelle Benson and Rachel Benson; sister Elsie (Carl) Hacker of Emmons; brother Eldon Benson of Waseca; sisters-in-law, Margaret Darula of Fresno, Calif., Jeanie (Chuck) McBride of White Bear Lake and Jeanette Schimelpfenig of Sioux Falls, S.D.; brother-in-law, Gerald (Genelle) Schimelpfenig of Norwood; special cousin Arlene (Ray) Levine of Albert Lea; and several nieces and nephews along with their families and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie and Ellen Benson; stepmother Erma Benson; brother Vernon Benson, and in-laws, Hilbert and Anna Schimelpfenig.