Helen M. Benson

Helen M. Benson, age 84 of Little Falls, MN passed away Friday, December 8, 2006 at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating. Interment will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Tuesday and from 8:00-12:00 noon Wednesday at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (West Chapel) in Little Falls. The Healing Light Prayer Group will hold a prayer service, Tuesday afternoon, at 4:30 at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (West Chapel). Helen Marie Dehler-Benson was born April 22, 1922 in Harding, Morrison County, MN to the late Albert & Marian (Bieniek) Grabish. She lived in an orphanage until the age of seven when she was adopted by Edward & Cecilia Dehler. Helen attended Catholic School in Buckman and was raised on the Dehler family farm near Buckman, MN. Helen moved to Little Falls and worked as a seamstress at Munsingwear, later at Crestliner Boats, The Lutheran Home and at the Sanitary Bakery in Little Falls. She was united in marriage to Clarence J. Benson on June 10, 1946. The couple owned and operated Benson's Grocery Store for 22 year in Little Falls. Helen and Clarence then opened a boarding home in their own home taking in people and caring for them. Clarence died May 22, 1990. Helen continued to live in her home residing there until her death. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Helen enjoyed sewing, quilting, playing cards and gardening. She is survived by sons & daughter, Francis E. Benson & wife, Lorraine, of Stone Lake, WI, Joseph A. Benson of Little Falls, MN, Linda Ann Jones of Brainerd, MN and John L. Benson of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Christina Middleton, Timothy Benson, Robert Jones, Michele Jones, Shannon Jones and Cassandra Jones and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; birth parents, Albert & Marian (Bieniek) Grabish, adoptive parents, Edward & Cecilia (Meyer) Dehler; brothers, Roy, Frank, John & Stanley; sisters, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Annie & Mary and a step-brother, Ray Dehler. Casketbearers will be Greg Kohl, Robert Jones, Aleksey Rubinchik, James Middleton, Corey Beavers and Jerry Benson. Honorary Pallbearer will be Tim Benson.