Curtis Roger Benson took his Savior's hand and left this world on March 25, 2014 at the age of 84 years. Curtis was born September 25, 1929 to Carl and Marie (Mickelson) Benson in Augsburg Township. Curtis was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. He served the church in many ways as Sunday School teacher, Council chairman, on the Cemetery Association and general tasks to maintain the church and grounds. Curtis grew up on the family farm and was educated in Augsburg Township. On June 16, 1951, he married the love of his life, Jacquelyn (Parr), and they made their home and raised their 4 children on the farm in the same house where he was born. Curtis was a dairy, grain and potato farmer. He also worked at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls. In 1980 he rented the farm and began his carpenter trade which he continued until retirement. Curtis was a long time member of the Karlstad Lion's Club and served District 5M11 as Governor in 1999-2000. He served on the Tri-County School Board and was the Treasurer of Augsburg Township for 26 years. Curt loved to collect things – mugs, hats, toy tractors and vintage toy banks. He loved a good cup of coffee shared with a good conversation. His comment about the folks he met always came down to: 'he is a really good guy'. Survivors include Curt's wife of 63 years – Jackie; children Neal and Sue Benson and their daughters Kristin Lemieux, Heidi Smith and Meredith Benson; Kent and Nanette Benson and children Dera (Eric) Johnson and Jameson Benson; Carla Gauwitz and children Nicholas (Jenn) Gauwitz and Erin Ryding; Janna and Doug Kontz and daughters Kori Kontz and Britta (Luke) Pederson; 8 great grandchildren; one special brother-in-law Robert Hendricks and several neices and nephews. Curt was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, one sister-in-law, four brothers-in-law and his son-in-law, Greg Gauwitz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the ELCA Hunger Appeal, Lion's Hearing Foundation, Salem Cemetery Association or Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral services will be held at Salem Lutheran Church of Rural Stephen at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2014. Friends and family will gather on Friday evening, March 28th at the Collins Funeral Home in Karlstad for a time of remembering beginning at 5 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service.