Norman Benson

Norman Harold Benson, age 83, of Ripon, died Monday morning, April 30, 2001, at Rolling Meadows Nursing & Rehabilitation in Fond du Lac.

He was born August 27, 1917, in Wittenberg, a son to Halvor and Rasmina (Hansen) Benson. He received his schooling in Rosholt, and graduated from Central State Teacher’s College at UW-Stevens Point. He was principal at State Graded School in Aniwa, WI, and a teacher at Birnamwood, WI. He worked in the metallurgical lab at J.l. Case Co, Racine, and also worked a few years as general agent for Mutual Trust Life Ins Co of Chicago. On August 10, 1940, he married Joyce Sullivan in Stevens Point. Norman purchased Western Auto in 1951 with nephew Phil Burgeson. When he retired in 1988, the store was called Hardware Hank. He was a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church, Prairie View Masonic Lodge #95 and served as Worshipful Master and Counselor, Zor Shrine—Madison-Mascoutin Shrine Club of Berlin, and Sons of Norway in Appleton.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Ripon; daughters, Karen (Robert) Johnson of Stevens Point and Linda (Steve) Schneider of Onalaska; son, John (Marlessa) Benson of Appleton; 7 grandchildren & 4 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James of Fond du Lac, Maurice of Branson, MO and Arnold of Ripon; sisters, Edna Gullikson of Onalaska, Hilda Burgeson of Boise ID, Esther Hattchet of St Louis, MO, Florence Halvorson of Elderon and Norma Benson of Elderon; and 1 granddaughter, Kristin Johnson.

Funeral service for Norman H. Benson will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2001, at lmmanuel United Methodist Church, Ripon with Pastor David A. Busker officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m., at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home. Interment will be at Rosholt, WI. Memorials in his name to Shriners Hospitals (orthopedic & burn care for children), Zor Temple, 575 Zor Shrine PlaceS, Madison, WI 53719.