Rod Benson

Rod Benson, age 80, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, Iowa. Rev. Kevin Gingerich officiating. Burial will be Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon prior to the Celebration of Life Memorial Service. Rodney Fredrick Benson January 3, 1938 October 23, 2018 Rodney Benson's journey in this world started in Sheldon, IA where he was born to Fred and Betty (Myrtle) Benson and joined his older brother Bradley, who remained very close to him throughout his life. He was preceded in death by Fred, Betty, his brother Brad and his wife Carol. He is survived by his wife Margaret Rider (Bauer); 4 children, Darcy Kamin, Lisa Searcy, Heather Suhsen (husband Kevin), and Tricia Bennett. He is also survived by 6 step children Scott, Steve, and Nate Bauer, Susan Price, Lori Stafford and Jeff Forsman. Together, Margaret and Rodney have 22 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Rodney passed gently from this world Tuesday evening, October 23rd with his wife Margaret and his beloved niece, Anne (Lebrun), by his side. We all take comfort in knowing that he is peaceful. Rodney was a proud alumnus of the University of Colorado in Boulder. His primary work was in Chamber of Commerce leadership where he loved helping to build strong business communities and working on economic development projects. He served as the Chamber of Commerce Executive in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Boulder, Colorado and Ann Arbor, Michigan. In his later years Rod continued with economic development consulting work and loved being a proprietor of an award winning Benson House' bed and breakfast in Petoskey, Michigan with his second wife, Carol. After Carol's passing, Rodney re-connected with and later married Margaret Bauer who was also from Sheldon. They both retired in Charlevoix, Michigan where they were both very active in their church community. More recently, Rodney and Margaret returned to Sheldon to be closer to their families, who appreciated the opportunity to visit more frequently and will miss his kind words, his sense of humor and his spirited conversation. In Loving Memory Of Rodney Benson Born: January 3, 1938 Passed Away: October 23, 2018 Age: 80 years, 9 months and 20 days BURIAL OF CREMAINS Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. East Lawn Cemetery, Sheldon, Iowa CELEBRATION OF LIFE MEMORIAL SERVICE Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. United Methodist Church, Sheldon, Iowa Family Prayer Service at 10:45 A.M. OFFICIATING Rev. Kevin Gingerich MUSIC Organist: Barb Burns Brian Tutje, singing: "Climb Every Mountain" and "The Lord's Prayer" Congregational Songs Processional: "America the Beautiful" # 696 Recessional: "Because He Lives" # 364 Following the Memorial Service, the family invites all for fellowship and lunch at the church. ARRANGEMENTS BY Andringa Funeral Home Sheldon Funeral Service Larry R. Andringa, Funeral Director