Ruth I. Benson was born at home in rural Hanson County, on April 7 1925 to
Charley and Ida (Witt) Franks, and died at Queen of Peace Hospital on
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at the age of 83. She attended eight years of
school at Fairview #4, rural Alexandria, then graduated from high school
at Fulton, SD in 1943.

Following graduation, she was employed at the Fulton State Bank for five
years. She married Robert Benson at Alexandria on April 25, 1948. They
lived on a farm northwest of Fulton until moving to Mitchell in 1996. She
lived on the farm for 43 years where she raised her family and spent time
making quilts and other crafts. She appreciated the special talents of
each of her grand children. As Robert traveled the country looking for
treasures for his antique automobile restoration hobby, Ruth became a
collector in her own right. She is remembered by her family for her
homemade baked beans and pies.

Ruth was a past member of the Rural Letter Carrier's auxiliary, active in
Extension work for over 50 years and a member of the Fulton Farmer
Epiphany Legion Post auxiliary for over 60 years. She was a past member
of the Mitchell Sweet Adelines singing group.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Robert, of Mitchell; four children, Ann
Pietz (Calvin), Mitchell. Nancy Brosz, (Dan) Grand Island, NE, Shirley
Allen, Coon Rapids, MN, and, Charles (JoElle) of Sioux Falls; eleven
grandchildren, Sara Pietz, Sioux Falls, Susan Pietz Coats (John),
Brookings, Robert Pietz (Samantha), Harrisburg, Adam (Shannon) Brosz
Omaha, Erin Brosz and fiance, Ryan Byrd, Omaha, Chris Allen, Chicago, Ill,
Kevin Allen, Minneapolis, Austin, Ellie, Cole, and Seth Benson, Sioux
Falls; one great-grandson, Kaleb Brosz, Omaha, and one step great
granddaughter, Kimberly Coats, Pierre,

She is also survived by two sisters, Wilma Roberts of Spirit Lake, IA, and
Mary Ann O'Neill of Fulton, and one sister-in-law, Audrey Franks of
Mitchell.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold, Willard, and Orville
and one sister, Erma Swenson.