Douglas Raymond Benson, 67, of Oakland, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Minnesota.

Doug was born Feb. 1, 1950, in Austin, the son of Raymond and Elaine (Hassing) Benson. He attended country school and graduated with the Class of 1968 from Austin High School. Doug went on to attend Austin Area Vocational Technical Institute, where he studied auto repair. He served his country for six years with the Minnesota National Guard. Doug loved his lifelong career in farming. He was a historian, especially with firearms and American history. He also enjoyed horseback riding and coffee time with his old and new friends at the Austin HyVee. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include the love of his life and partner, Sandra Flim of Oakland; sisters Jeanne (John Drake) Busse of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Jayne (Steve) Sigurdson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; nieces, Stephanie and Anna; and great-niece, Ireland. Doug was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard “Ace” Benson; his niece, Hannah; and other extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with the Rev. Daphne Hamborg officiating. Military honors by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216 will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be held at 9-11 a.m. on Monday prior to the service at Worlein Funeral Home. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Oakland. Services are prearranged and performed by the Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.