OBITUARY: Hazel Fleenor Benson, 1927-2003, Mitchell Co., Iowa

[Mitchell County Press-News online - Posted July 30, 2003]



                              Hazel Benson

Hazel Benson, age 76, of Osage died Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at Mercy Medical
Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 25, 2003 at First Baptist Church
in Osage. Rev. Roger Davies officiating. Interment was in the Riverside
Cemetery, Charles City. Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge
of arrangements.

Hazel was born July 18, 1927 in David, Iowa the daugther of Oscar and
Belle (McKinney) Fleenor. Hazel attended rural schools and graduated from
Osage High School in 1945. She married Paul Dean Benson on Oct. 7, 1945
at the First Baptist Church in Osage. The couple farmed on the Benson
family farm east of Orchard until 1982 when they moved to Osage.

Hazel lovingly cared for her family on the farm and in 1977 she began
employment at the Mitchell County Memorial Hospital in Osage until she
retired in 1995. 

Hazel was baptized at First Baptist Church in Osage where she was a lifetime
member, devoted volunteer, deaconess and circle member. Hazel displayed her
faith in God and love for her grandchildren throughout her home.

She enjoyed giving friends and relatives rides to church, appointments
and scenic drives.

Hazel always had a huge garden on the farm and had canned goods and eggs
to share with her family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husbnad, Paul Dean Benson in
1993; one daughter, Janet Benson in 1961; one great-grandson, Dylan; one
sister, Ruby Weber and one brother, Roy Fleenor.

Those that survive her include two daughters, Patricia (Terry) Christiansen
of Nora Springs and Connie Benson of New Bern, NC; three sons, Gary and wife,
Marge Benson of New Hampton, Dennis and wife, Joni Benson of Farmington, IA
and Bruce and wife, Angie Benson of Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren,
Candace and Heather Benson; Tara  and husband, Shannon Zierke, Travis and
wife, Donna and Trent and Renee Christiansen; Brian Benson; MacKenzie
and Austin Benson; two step-grandchildren, Tracy and Roy Penning; four
great-grandchildren, Tarna, Ally, Jordan and Stefan; and two step-great-
grandchildren; four sisters, Mary Belle Horgen, Ruth and Joe Schultz and
Zola Naig of Osage, and Betty and Roger Moore of Elgin, IL.



Copyright 2003, K. Kittleson