Frederick 'Fred' Benson, 85

Frederick "Fred" Herbert Benson, 85, of Prescott, Wis., died Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Prescott Nursing and Rehabilitation Community.

Fred was born Aug. 22, 1927, in Prescott, to Harry and Elizabeth (Wolf) Benson. He grew up in Prescott and was a 1945 graduate of Prescott High School. Fred met Beverly Nelson on a blind date, and they were later married on April 30, 1949, in Hudson, Wis. Together, they raised eight children.

Fred helped on the family farm in Oak Grove Township as a young child. Farming was his passion, and it was a dream come true when he went into a partnership with his great-uncle Pete. Fred retired from farming in 1991 when he and Bev moved to the City of Prescott. His passion for farming was continued as he was able to help neighbors with farming tasks for many years.

Fred was a member of the Prescott UCC and also had strong ties to St. John's UCC in Oak Grove. He was very involved and committed to his church life and served on many boards and committees. He also served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin UCC Conference.

Fred was also a member of the Northwestern Lodge #105 F&AM, Prescott, where he served for many years as secretary and also as a greeter at the steak frys.

Fred was very active in the community. Over the years, he served as the coordinator of the Prescott Food Shelf, a volunteer at the Welcome and Heritage Center, a member of the Prescott Cemetery Board, and Prescott Area Churches Association (PACA).

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; daughter Ruth Schlosser; two brothers-in-law, Charles "Chuck" Nelson, Duane Nelson; and a sister in-law, Eleanor Amundson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly, Prescott; seven children: Paul (Becky) Benson, China Springs, Texas; Christine Torgerson, West St. Paul, Minn.; Jeffrey (Linda Wilson) Benson, Prescott; Barbara Benson, West St. Paul; Mary Beth Benson, Odenton, Md.; Stephen (Mary) Benson, Ft. Atkinson, Wis.; Alan Benson, River Falls, Wis.; son-in-law Ray Schlosser; grandchildren, Carl Benson, Stacey (Martin) Rojas, Troy Schlosser, Courtney (Jordan) Giedd, Peter Benson, Clint Benson, Carissa Erickson, and Kendra Torgerson; great-granddaughter, Sophia Erickson; brothers and sisters-in-law, William (Georgianna) Nelson, Robert (Sandy) Nelson, Shirley Nelson, Marie Nelson, and Arne Amundson. Fred is further survived by nieces and nephews and other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services for Fred will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Prescott United Church of Christ, Prescott. Burial will be in the Pine Glen Cemetery, Prescott. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church. A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. to conclude the evening. There will also be an hour of visitation prior to the services at the church on Thursday.

To send an online condolence to the family, go to www.hillfuneralservice.com. Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Prescott, is serving the family.

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