Myrtle Jeanette Benson (January 21, 1927 ~ February 20, 2012) Myrtle Jeanette Benson was born on January 21, 1927, in rural Hanley Falls, Minnesota, to Oscar and Ebba (Rude) Hanson. She grew up with one brother and three sisters. After high school and attending one year of college at St. Olaf, she was a teletype operator for National Airlines. During this time, she lived in New York, New York, and Jacksonville, Florida. This allowed her many opportunities to travel extensively and even meet movie stars. A friend encouraged her to get her teacher training certificate, which she completed in 1948. In 1949 she met C. Wesley Riley while teaching country school. They were married in 1950. As a result of this marriage there were seven children. She continued her teaching career in Boyd while raising a family, receiving her teaching degree in 1969, having the privilege of teaching all seven of her children in the fourth grade and holding the position of Principal. Her career ended in Dawson after nearly thirty years. August 7, 1976, was the joyous union of Myrtle to Thoralf Benson. They spent thirty-five years traveling the United States celebrating with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were also fortunate to travel to Asia, the Holy Land and California in the winter months for three years doing mission work at Gleanings for the Hungry. Myrtle was very gifted and talented. She creatively used these not only in the Boyd and Bergen Lutheran Churches, but the local communities as well. She loved organizing, planning and hosting many gatherings for family, friends and neighbors. Her last years were spent in Montevideo, Minnesota, at an assisted living facility. She passed away on Monday, February 20, 2012, at the age of 85 years and 1 month. She is survived by her husband, Thoralf Benson; her children: Allen Riley of West Plains, Missouri, Keith (and friend Christina Vu) Riley of Garden Grove, California, Paul Riley of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ramona (Riley) and Chuck Shegda of Orlando, Florida, Michael (and Angela) Riley of West Plains, Missouri, Colleen (Riley) and Jeff Walerius of Becker, Minnesota; 19 grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marjo (Riley) Ross, two sisters and one brother, six sisters-in-law, nine brothers-in-law and her parents. Blessed be her memory. Memorials may be given to 'Gleanings for the Hungry.' In Loving Memory of Myrtle J. Benson Visitation Sunday, February 26, 2012 ~ 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Monday, February 27, 2012 ~ 11:00 a.m. Bergen Lutheran Church, Stony Run Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Clergy Officiating Pastor Steve Weston Organist, Kathy Koetter Special Music, Annie Riley "Amazing Grace" Casket Bearers Keith Riley ~ Paul Riley Jay Ross ~ Jonathan Ross Lee Nottestad ~ Nick Huerta Final Resting Place Bergen Lutheran Cemetery, Stony Run Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota