Muriel "Murl" Alma Benson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Muriel “Murl” Benson, 101, of Redwood Falls and formerly of Morton and Franklin died Friday, June 26, 2015 at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morton with burial to follow in the Morton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 10 until 11 a.m. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com. Muriel Alma Benson, the daughter of Herman and Hattie (Lothert) Bartz, was born January 15, 1914 in Birch Coulee Township, Renville County, Minnesota. She grew up in rural Morton and received her formal education in the nearby country school. On February 17, 1938, Muriel married Fritz Benson at the Zion Lutheran Church rectory in Morton. Together, they farmed near and around Franklin and Morton. Muriel was a farming homemaker and also worked at the Franklin Nursing Home, the Hilltop Café, and had an upholstery business with her sister, Margaret. Muriel was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Morton and the Ladies’ Aid. She was a Lioness and a member of the Senior Center in Franklin, holding various offices in both organizations. Muriel enjoyed gardening, canning and baking. She was involved in church functions and 4-H activities with her children and was a “big-time” Twins baseball fan. Muriel is survived by her children Gloria J. (Jack) Julius of Urbandale, Iowa, Mary M. (Richard) Evanson of Pahrump, Nevada, and Gary D. (Terrie Price) Benson of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; grandchildren Amy (Paul) Westman of Maple Grove, Edward (Patty) Evanson of Port Orange, Florida, Jory (David) Smith of Adell, Iowa, Jill Julius of DesMoines, Iowa, Melissa (Cory) Behrens of Redwood Falls, Megan (Scott) Revier of Redwood Falls, Ben Benson of Soldotna, Alaska, and Jeffrey Pruitt of New Orleans, Louisiana; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Fritz in 1978; son Glenn; sisters Margaret Bartz and Marcella Benson; and brothers Lawrence and Clarence Bartz. Blessed be her memory.

Muriel "Murl" Alma Benson

January 15, 1914 - June 26, 2015