LAWTON, Iowa -- Wilma A. Benson, 78, of Lawton passed away Sunday, April 5, 2009, at a care facility in Kingsley, Iowa.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Burial will be in Banner Township Cemetery, Lawton. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent online to
www.christysmith.com
.
Wilma was born Jan. 7, 1931, in Woodbury County, Iowa, to William and Amanda (Wink) Sparr. She attended and graduated from Moville High School in 1950.
She married Leslie Benson in 1951. The couple lived on a farm outside of Lawton, where they raised two children, a son and daughter. She also was the proud grandmother of four grandchildren.
She was a current member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. She was however, very active with churches in the area. She played the organ at Bethel Lutheran Church in Lawton and Bethany Lutheran Church in Sioux City for 25 years. She also taught Sunday School for 25 years. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church choir for seven years. This busy lady also raised gladiolus (2,000 to 3,000) for different area churches. She also was known for her cake decorating of 30 years. Her specialty was wedding cakes. She taught cake decorating through Western Iowa Tech Community College for a year.
She is survived by her daughter, Marsha and Jack Fries; a son, Marc and Shari Benson; four grandchildren, Megan Benson, Adam Fries, Joshua Benson and Seth Fries; two brothers, Billy and Jo Sparr and Don and Betty Jahn; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and two infant daughters, Debra and Suzanne.