Earle Benson

Earle H. Benson passed away at home on August 19, 2023 surrounded by his family at the age of 82.  He was born to Ernest H. Benson and Ida H. (Lalim) Benson on June 19, 1941 in Litchfield, Minnesota.

Earle graduated from Cosmos High School in 1959.  He lived Northeast of Cosmos, Minnesota all of his life.  On July 7, 1962 Earle was united in marriage to the love of his life, Donna K. Thor, at First Lutheran Church in Cosmos, Minnesota.  This marriage was blessed with two children, Dale and Carol. During his life, he served on many Boards and Committees at First Lutheran Church and other Organizations.  He was a devote Christian and his faith in God never wavered.

Earle began working on the Family Farm Northeast of Cosmos alongside his Mother and Father at a very young age.  When it came time for them to retire, he took over the Family Farm working diligently as a Dairy Farmer with his wife and son and daughter by his side.  When he retired from farming in February of 2003, he began working part-time for Central Region Cooperative in Cosmos, Minnesota.  He gained so many friends through this employment and always had stories to tell.  If he could have, he would have worked until the day he died. 

Earle cherished time with Family and friends going fishing, hunting, riding snowmobile and watching his Grandsons and Great-Grandsons in all of their activities.

He is survived by his wife Donna (Thor) Benson; his children Dale (Sandy) Benson of Cosmos, Minnesota and Carol (Ronnie) Peterson of Hutchinson, Minnesota; his grandchildren Matthew (Stan) Benson of Chicago, Illinois, Dan (Andi) Benson of Hutchinson, Minnesota and Hunter Peterson of Hutchinson, Minnesota; and, his great grandchildren Kiegan Benson and Hayden Benson of Hutchinson, Minnesota. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Dale; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Florence Thor; and many other relatives and friends.

During his health journey Earle gained so many friends.  He and his Family are forever grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at Meeker Memorial Hospital and Clinics and the social worker, nurses and staff of Ecumen Hospice for their excellent care and support. 

Gone but Never Forgotten. 

The family will hold a private Celebration of Life.