Elaine M. (Hokanson) Benson

Elaine M. Benson, 92, died Sunday, May 12, 2019, at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy Suites in Willmar.  Her funeral service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, May 18th at First Covenant Church in Willmar.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial is in Buffalo Lake Covenant Cemetery in Louriston Township. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. 

Elaine M. (Hokanson) Benson was born February 5, 1927, in Hayes Township, Swift County, the daughter of Oscar and Ingeborg (Swanson) Hokanson.  She attended Sunday school and church at West Lake Covenant Church.  Elaine attended grade school at District 10, Hayes Township and graduated from Kerkhoven High School with the Class of 1944.  In 1945 she graduated from Minneapolis Business College and was employed as a surgical stenographer at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  She also attended Trinity Bible School in Minneapolis and worked in the Pathology Dept. at the University of MN, and Chippewa County Hospital.

On March 4, 1950, Elaine married Helmer Benson at Buffalo Lake Covenant Church and for the next 40 years, lived on their farm in Louriston Township.  This union was blessed with six children.  Elaine was a member of Buffalo Lake Covenant Church, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, Ladies Aid Chairman, Missionary Sewing Circle Secretary, and Sunday school and Bible school teacher.  For a number of years, the family attended the Evangelical Free Church in Kerkhoven. 

In 1989 they moved to Willmar, where they became members of First Covenant Church. 

Surviving are her children: Renae Benson of Willmar; Ronald (and Nancy) Benson of Lino Lakes, Renita (and Jonathan) Peterson of New Hope, Ryan Benson of Willmar, and Reid (and Libby) Benson of Kerkhoven; 10 grandchildren: Zac Benson, Tim Benson, Ben Benson, Shauna Benson, Rachel Peterson, Carl Benson, Jonathan Benson, Nathan Benson, Lydia Benson, and Hannah Benson; and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Richard and husband, Helmer.

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