Mildred Wood Benson
was born on Christmas Day in 1923 to Esther and Seth Wood in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. She was the second of seven children including sister Nona, who was tragically struck down by scarlet fever at a young age.
Millie graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1942 and soon afterwards found herself working for the War Department at the Pentagon during World War II. One of her roles there was to write letters to families of soldiers who had lost their lives during the course of the war. Millie celebrated the conclusion of the war in Washington, D.C. and then, following a short stint in Chicago, returned to Clear Lake where she met Sherman Benson.
Sherman and his brother Harold were in the process of purchasing Midway Service Station in Grand Marais. Millie was not convinced to follow Sherman there until she came up the North Shore, then down the hill past the Harbor Light into full view of the quaint little town. Millie and Sherman eloped to Iowa in 1947, getting married on April Fools’ Day. Son Steven was born in March of 1948 followed by Buckley in the fall of 1951. In 1959 Millie had a beautiful baby daughter they named Tracy Ann.
Millie was always very unselfish with her time and energy. She was extraordinarily thoughtful and gracious with her friends and family. She volunteered with many organizations including the Cook County Care Center, the Cook County Historical Society, Ladies Auxiliary, Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts and the Hospital Auxiliary. Millie and Sherman were instrumental in the effort to build our hospital here in Cook County. Millie loved playing the piano, especially the music she grew up with, honky-tonk and swing. She possessed a wonderful ear for music.
Millie was preceded in death by her parents, Seth and Esther; her sister Nona; her brother Raymond and her husband Sherman.
She is survived by her sons, Steven (Yvonne) and Buckley; her daughter, Tracy (Peter Kavanaugh); her grandchildren, Kelston and Talbrey, as well as her remaining five sisters and brothers.
Millie passed away early in the morning on February 2, 2010 at the North Shore Care Center in Grand Marais.
She remains loved by all.
Memorial Service was held Friday, February 5, 2010 at First Congregational Church in Grand Marais. Arrangements by Cavallin Funeral Home.
Leave a Reply