David (“Dave”) E. Benson, 79, of Houston, Minn., passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at home, surrounded by loving family, following a valiant battle with leukemia.
Dave was born June 17, 1940, in Aurora, Ill., to the late Arthur and Edith (Marquardt) Benson. He graduated from Hinckley-Big Rock High School. Dave married Annabelle Eberly; they later divorced. In 1984, he married the love of his life, best friend and confidant Marsha (Carlson) Chapel and they merged two families into one.
While serving in the U.S. Air Force in Japan, Dave was assigned to the NSA and obtained top secret security clearance in Crypto security. After leaving the U.S. Air Force, Dave farmed in Big Rock, Ill., and in 1972, relocated to Houston, Minn. He was a dairy and crop farmer until 1992, worked for several greenhouses, and in 2005, Dave retired as a custodian at Houston Public Schools. He served on the American Legion Honor Guard and his hobbies included gardening, woodworking and crocheting.
Dave is survived by his wife Marsha, of Houston, Minn., two sons and four daughters: Steve (Christine) Benson of Zumbro Falls, Minn., Deb (Tim) Bauer of Trempealeau, Wis., Lisa (James) Kaiser of Baldwin, Wis., Emily (Scott) Bloomquist of Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, Heidi (Chad) Eggersgluss of Forest Lake, Minn., Kenneth M. (Stephani) Chapel, Jr. of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter-in-law Dawn Benson of Rapid City, S. Dak.; 25 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Nancy Niles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Jeff, grandson Devyn, daughters-in-law Tina and Cher, and sister Sandy.
The celebration of Dave’s life will be Tuesday, November 19 at 11 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, Minn., preceded by an hour visitation and followed by lunch. Burial will immediately follow at the Stone Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, November 18, 2019, from 3-6 p.m. at Hoff Funeral Home in Houston, Minn. As Dave wished, he was cremated. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Houston Area Cancer Support, Inc. in his memory. Please share a memory of Dave at www.hofffuneral.com.