Richard Harold Benson, 92

Published 10:18 am Monday, January 6, 2014

Richard Harold Benson, 92, of Blooming Prairie, Minn., died Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at the Owatonna Hospital. He was born Feb. 1, 1921, in Newry Township, Minn., to Reuben and Adrena (Hanf) Benson. He attended District 1 Country School before going to Blooming Prairie Schools. On Dec. 23, 1946, Richard was united in marriage to Betty Denny in Owatonna, Minn. The couple raised two sons. After living in Owatonna and Faribault, the Bensons moved to Blooming Prairie in 2005. Richard served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was self-employed as a carpenter, retiring in 2000. Over his career, he built more than 150 homes in the area. Richard enjoyed gardening, lawn care, and riding motorcycles.

Survivors include his son Curtis (Barbara) Benson of Rochester, his brother Robert (Jane) Benson of Owatonna, and sister-in-law Janet Benson of Blooming Prairie.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Adrena Benson; his wife, Betty, in 2010; his son, Richard Benson Jr., in 1972, brothers, Gordon, Lawrence, and David Benson; and his sister, Marcella Ramsey.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at the Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Charles Leonard of First Lutheran Church officiating.  Interment will follow in the Blooming Prairie City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.