Patricia Benson, 76, of Ames, Iowa passed away July 27, 2017 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Funeral services were held Monday, July 31 at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames, following July 30 visitation at the church. Burial was on Aug. 1 at Stateline Cemetery in Harmony, Minn.
Patricia Ann (Daniels) Benson was born April 2, 1941, in Tracy, Minn. She was the youngest child of Donald and Evelyn (Holstein) Daniels. Pat was raised on a farm near Tracy, where she enjoyed riding her horse and participating in 4-H. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Tracy United Methodist Church. She was valedictorian of the class of 1959 at Tracy High School. Pat was also at the top of her class at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in home economics/education in 1963.
She taught in Preston, Minn. prior to the birth of her children. Once the children were in school she returned to work, spending nearly 15 years at JoAnn Fabrics in Ames. Pat referred to this as her “paying hobby,” as she always had several sewing/crafting/home décor projects in progress.
While in the Twin Cities, Pat met the love of her life, Garren Orel Benson. They were married on Dec. 22, 1962, in Tracy. Children DeeAnn Dawn and Kent Daniel were born in 1964 and 1968, respectively. Pat was a member of Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames for 50 years.
Known for not being able to say “no,” Pat was active in many organizations. She was a Camp Fire leader and Cub Scout den mother. She volunteered at the church library, and was a member and officer of Grace Circle and United Methodist Women. She belonged to the PEO sisterhood (Chapter Ho), as well as the Agronomy Women’s Club/Ceres. Pat enjoyed sewing, quilting, crafts, ISU sports, concerts at Bandshell Park, travel, the Tofte cabin, Cardigan Welsh Corgi dogs, scrapbooking, jigsaw and word find puzzles. She was a dedicated reader of two daily and two weekly newspapers.
Survivors include her daughter, DeeAnn Benson
Cameron) Reece, Town of Ellington, Wis.; son, Kent
Deana) Benson; grandchildren Drew and Makenna Benson of Woodstock, Md.; brother, David (Irene) Daniels of Lakewood, Colo.; niece, Teresa (Jeff) Alleman of Lakewood, Colo.; nephew, Eric (Rachael) Daniels of Irvine, Calif.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lynne Benson and Ron Carlson of Edcouch Texas.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Garren; her parents; her father-in-law and mother in-law, Orel and Irene Benson; brother-in-law Jerome (Skip) Lahr; and dear friend, Grace Amemiya.
Online condolences may be left at adamssoderstrum.com.
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