Dorothy Berenice Benson, formerly of Kansas City, died at her Estes Park, CO, home Saturday September 17, 2011. She was 95 years old. Dorothy was born August 17, 1916 in Kansas City. Her parents were Otto & Sadie (Anderson) Pearson. Dorothy graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, with a degree in Art Education. On May 5, 1940, she married Arvid Benson in Kansas City, KS. She worked for many years as a graphic artist for L.M. Berry Co. She later taught Arts & Crafts at The Cambridge House in Kansas City. Dorothy was a member of First Lutheran Church in Mission Hills, KS. She enjoyed visiting Estes Park and vacationed many times over the course of her life at the YMCA of the Rockies. In 2005 she moved to Estes Park to live at the Good Samaritan Village and was a member of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church. Dorothy is survived by her sons Robert and his wife Marise of Kansas City, MO, and Edward and his wife Patrice of Seattle, WA. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren; Katie and Jill Benson of Seattle, WA, Eric Benson of Longmont, CO, and Julie Jackson of Estes Park, CO. Additional survivors include 4 great grandchildren and her sister Marion Anderson of McPherson, KS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arvid. A memorial gathering celebrated Dorothy's life at the Good Samaritan Village on Tuesday September 20. A private family graveside service will be held at Highland Park cemetery in Kansas City, KS, on Saturday, October 29 followed by a public 1:30pm Memorial service at First Lutheran Church, 6400 State Line Rd., Mission Hills, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Estes Park Village in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Avenue Estes Park, CO 80517. See www.allnutt.com to send a message to Dorothy's family.

Published in Kansas City Star on October 5, 2011