DEATH NOTICES

Donald George Roberts, 92, died of age-related causes October 28, 2020 at his home in Cornelius, Oregon.

Donald was born May 31, 1928 at the family farmstead  in Benson, Minnesota, he was the eldest of four surviving children of George and Minnie Roberts. Prior to his 1946 graduation from an agricultural business school - now University of Minnesota, Morris - he attended a one-room school in Benson.

He met his bride, Arlys Loretta Johnson, at a church event for young adults shortly after she began teaching at Benson Junior High. They married during a snowstorm  December 6, 1952 in Dawson, Minnesota, and a few months later Don began serving eight years in the US Army - two years active duty and six years reserve duty - from which he received an honorable discharge in  May 1961.

Gordon Jay "Gordy" McClellen passed away peacefully  Thursday, November 5, 2020, at his home in Tucson, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79 years old. He valiantly and courageously battled a rare degenerative brain disorder, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), for the past several years, until his body could no longer fight the horrendous effects of this debilitating disease.

Gordon began his life August 17, 1941, in Benson, as the youngest of three children born to George and Evelyn McClellen. After graduating from Benson High School, Gordon joined the U.S. Army and served his country proudly and honorably for 26 years, retiring at the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSM). His last duty assignment was CSM of the 40th Signal Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He had numerous accomplishments during his military career and served at a number of duty stations, including in Vietnam, Germany, and Panama, as well as multiple stateside locations.

Dorothy L. Schmit, 86, of Belgrade, Minnesota (formerly of Benson) died Saturday, November 14, 2020, at the Belgrade Nursing Home.  Mass of Christian Burial was held  10:00 a.m. Monday, November 23, 2020 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Belgrade.  Visitation was  one hour prior to the service at church.  Burial was  in the Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee. 

                     
Dorothy Louise Schmit was born February 5, 1934, in Oaks, North Dakota, the daughter of Stephen and Rose (Deutsch) Bauer.  She attended country grade school in Harlem, ND.

 
April 14, 1956, Dorothy was united in marriage to Cyril Schmit in Mason City, Iowa.  They made their home in St. Paul before moving to Benson in 1974 where they farmed and later worked at the Benson Hospital in housekeeping, retiring in 1993.  Dorothy and Cyril were able to share in 36 years of marriage before his death April 10, 1993.  Dorothy later moved to Sartel and the Belgrade Nursing Home.

Marcia Mae Slaughter, 87, of Benson, Minn., died Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Meadow Lane Nursing Home, under Hospice care.  Arrangements are pending with Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson.

Dorinda Lea Popma, 76, of Benson, MN passed away on Thursday, November 19^th, 2020 at Swift County-Benson Hospital. A private family service and interment will be held at Bethany Reformed Cemetery in Clara City, MN.

Margaret Ann Ellingson, 92, of Benson, Minnesota, passed away Friday, November 20, 2020, at the Avera Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minnesota, with a compassionate nurse by her side due to a severe case of COVID-19. A celebration of life will be held this coming summer. Arrangements are with the Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson.

John C. Carruth, 87, of Danvers, Minnesota died Saturday, November 14, 2020. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. Burial will be in the Church of the Visitation Catholic Cemetery in Danvers. Public visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2020 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson.  In lieu of flowers, at John’s request, memorials will be directed towards masses in his name.

John Clarence Carruth was born November 26, 1932, to Clarence and Cecelia (Dolan) Carruth.  He was baptized, made his first Holy Communion and Confirmation at the Visitation Catholic Church in Danvers. At age 10, John moved with his parents from Danvers to his farm south of Danvers.  He graduated from Benson High School in 1950.  

James M. Wrobleski, 69, of Benson, Minnesota died Friday, November 13, 2020, at the Swift County Benson Hospital.

A visitation will be held from 1:30-2 p.m. at the Benson City Cemetery followed by a graveside service with Military Honors at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 20, 2020.

James Michael Wrobleski was born September 14, 1951, in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Frank and Loretta (Kidrowski) Wrobleski. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith.  He grew up in Benson and graduated from Benson Senior High School and also Willmar Vo-Tech in Auto Mechanics. James served his country in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 serving in Amsterdam, Korea, and Germany.

Delbert James Folz, 85, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota passed away October 29, 2020.

Funeral arrangements to be announced due to the pandemic.

Del grew up in the Mahnomen area, graduating from Mahnomen High School in 1953. He worked in road construction, drove semi-truck for years, and was in law enforcement for 31 years. Del loved fishing, hunting, and traveling.

Delbert was preceded in death by wife Goldie (Grube) Folz and parents Albert & Gladys; sisters, Marie and Irene; brother-in-law Alan Aanerud; sister-in-law Marjory Folz.

He is survived by his fiancée, Shirley Crane; sons: Delmon, Larry (Rebecca); daughter Melissa; four grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; sister Geraldine Aanerud; brothers, Floyd and James (Belinda).

He will be greatly missed.

Arrangements with Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel 763-767-1000.

Ann (Twitchell) Kobbermann was born June 7, 1954 and died peacefully in her apartment November 12, 2020 at Parkview Manor.

A Celebration of Life/Memorial will be scheduled for Spring/Summer 2021 and cards may be sent to: 3501 S West Ave., Apt #4, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.  

She grew up with six brothers and one sister out on the Twitchell homestead west of Benson.  She went to St. Francis Catholic School and graduated from B.H.S Class of 1972.  After school, she pursued accounting in college for awhile and then went to Washington D.C. to work and volunteer in a local orphanage.  

Ann had many jobs in her life, but what she loved most was being a rural route mail carrier.  She worked at the Benson Post office from 1983 to 2013.

She was an avid bowler and enjoyed participating in league tournaments.  Ann married Tom Kobberman in 1993 and they shared 22 years together.