Lavern Benson

LaVern Benson, the son of Howard Clinton and Gladys Fern (DeWitt) Benson, was born April 7, 1926, in What Cheer, IA. His childhood years were spent in Montezuma, IA, where he received his early education through the 7th grade. His family later moved to Rose Hill for two years and New Sharon, IA, where he completed his education, graduating from New Sharon High School. LaVern married Arlene Vos on March 9, 1951, in New Sharon, IA. After his marriage, he entered the military and served with the U.S. Army Armored Division where he achieved the ranking of Corporal. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1953. LaVern continued his education at William Penn College in the fall of 1953, and graduated with a teacher's degree in 1956. In the fall of 1957, he began teaching at Everly schools for three years until moving to Belle Plaine for one year. In 1960, they moved to Spencer, IA, where he taught high school for 26 years until his retirement in the spring of 1988. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Spencer where he was a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, sang in the choir and was on the Mission board. He drove bus for Teen Missions for two years and served 11 years with Missions Outreach in Bethany, MO. LaVern and Arlene spent 15 winters serving with Wycliffe Association in Dallas, TX. He was a member of the Gideon's Society, and member of NEA and ISEA. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, computer games, gardening and watching sports on TV. He passed away on Monday, June 1, 2015, at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, IA at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his parents. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Arlene of Spencer; three daughters: Eloise (Dean) Roys of Papillion, NE, Janet Benson of Lisle, IL and Cheryl (LaVern) Bartell of Penrose, CO; three granddaughters; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Leta Cutshell of Britt, IA; other relatives and many friends.

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