BENSON, James Owen "J.O."
BENSON, LARSON, FICK, BARTZ, HAIDIN, WESTBY, REISS, KOLBET
Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/9/2017 at 19:49:00
Obituary ~ James Owen "J.O." Benson
May 12, 1945 ~ June 03, 2017The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
August 03, 1996James Owen "J.O." Benson, 72, of Mason City, died Saturday, June 3, 2017, at his home after a brief, but brave fight with Leukemia. Per J.O.’s wishes, family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life being held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 16, 2017, at Mulligan’s Bar and Grill, 2791 4th Street SE, Mason City, Iowa 50401. His internment will be held July 12, 2017, in Houston, Minnesota.
J.O. was born on May 12, 1945, in Spring Grove, Minnesota, the son of Joyce and Evelyn (Larson) Benson. He was united in marriage to Gwen Fick on December 21, 1968, and together they had two daughters, Shannon and Cassie.
Growing up in Houston, Minnesota he enjoyed helping his parents at the family restaurant, Benson’s Café. He graduated from Houston High School in 1963. J.O. then attended Winona State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. It was during college that J.O. met the love of his life, Gwen (Flick). In 1968, J.O. was drafted into the Vietnam War where he served in the Army as Staff Sargent for two years. During his time in Vietnam, he was honored with two bronze star medals.
J.O. and his bride moved to Mason City, Iowa where he was employed for Briggs Transportation. Later, J.O. and Gwen moved to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and then to West Des Moines, Iowa while he was employed by RMS. It was an employment opportunity with Fast Food Merchandisers (FFM) that brought him and his family back to Mason City, Iowa in 1982. He retired from FFM in 1994 and gladly took his watch off of his wrist. Throughout his life, J.O. was an avid Vikings and Twins fan. He supported disabled vets, loved to golf, participated in his annual football club, and enjoyed listening to Rush Limbaugh on a daily basis. He spent many hours and retirement in his man cave creating great memories with his closest friends. J.O. was liked by many people and they all knew they were welcome to come over to enjoy a PBR with him at any time.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gwen Benson of Mason City; his daughters, Shannon (Doug) Bartz and Cassie (Nick) Haidin of Texas; his grandchildren, Jared and Avery Bartz, Neva and Cali Haidin; his siblings, Joycelyn Westby, David Benson, and Doug Benson; his nieces, nephews, and cousins along with many dear friends such as Harvey and Gloria Reiss, Bobby Kolbet and many, many more. J.O. was preceded in death by his parents, Joyce and Evelyn.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd Street NE, Mason City, was in charge of the arrangements.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2017
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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