Ila Jean Benson

Ila Jean Benson, age 81, of Litchfield died on Monday, June 17, 2013, at the Emmanuel Home in Litchfield. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 21, 2013, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Beckville Lutheran Cemetery. Ila Jean Benson, the daughter of Ingvald and Stella (Gjelhaug) Roslien, was born on July 4, 1931 in Kerkhoven, MN. She grew up in Kerkhoven until her family moved to Litchfield in 1945. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1949. On July 31, 1949, she was united in marriage to R. Vernon Benson in the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. They lived and farmed northeast of Round Lake from 1950 until 1955. They purchased a farm near Beckville where they farmed together for nearly forty years before moving into Litchfield in 1994. Ila Jean enjoyed working outdoors. She raised chickens, goats, vegetables and flowers. She was a very good cook and baker. Ila Jean was an active member of the Beckville Lutheran Church and then Zion Lutheran Church. She is survived by her husband Vernon of Litchfield; children, Lynn Stenson of Fresno, CA, Howard (and Terri) Benson of Grove City, Bonnie (and Gordy) Fransen of Lakeville and Sandra (and Bill) Nygaard of Litchfield. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brandon (and Kristine) Benson, Jeremy (and Angie) Fransen, Joey Nygaard, Andrea German, Stephanie (and Colin) Coogan, Megan (and Paul) Hartley, Bridget Hansen, Jackie Benson, Kim Fransen, Sara (and Virgil) Rick and Cathy (and Tim) Mollet; and 21 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Previous Events Visitation Friday, June 21, 2013 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Friday, June 21, 2013 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Friday, June 21, 2013 1:00 PM Beckville Lutheran Cemetery Beckville, MN