Carl Benson

Carl Benson

Carl Benson
October 18, 1927 – October 28, 2014
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 87

Carl Benson, 87, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born October 18, 1927 at Barnes City, Iowa, the son of Harold Benson and Gladys James.

Carl graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1947. He was a decorated athlete in high school, as the quarterback of the football team and track runner. He had records at Oskaloosa High School that stood for many years. Following high school graduation, Carl attended Iowa State University. While attending college, he milked cows for the Maytag Dairy Farm.

After college Carl moved to Oregon and went to work for his uncle’s dairy farm. In Oregon he met and was united in marriage to Margaret Hinman. To this union a daughter, Crystal was born. The two of them later divorced.

While in Oregon Carl also worked for a logging crew. It was while working with the logging crew that his leg was crushed. During his extended stay in the hospital recovering, he began learning how to fix typewriters. When his leg was healed, he moved back to Oskaloosa. He put his typewriter repair skills to use and opened Benson’s Typewriter Exchange in 1956.

On April 27, 1957, Carl was united in marriage to Juanita VerSteeg in Mahaska County. To this union two children were born, Randy and Renee.

In 1963 he sold the business, as his fine motor skills were weakening due to his M.S. The family moved to West Point, Iowa, and Carl taught typewriter repair at the state penitentiary in Ft. Madison. He then took a job at the Ordinance Plant in Burlington. After some time at the Ordinance Plant, Carl’s entrepreneurial spirit was re-ignited and he opened Benson’s Hardware in West Point. He later opened stores in Donnellson and St. Paul. In 1990 he sold the stores. In 1993, Carl and Juanita moved back to Oskaloosa.

Carl had been a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa and Ft. Madison. His current membership is at Rose Hill Community Church in Rose Hill. He had been a member of the West Point City Council, West Point Community Club, and the volunteer fire department.

He enjoyed woodworking, working in the yard, mowing, shoveling snow, traveling, fishing, raising horses and being a part of 4-H when he was younger. He also enjoyed going to coffee at McDonald’s and keeping up on the local news. He was a faithful Iowa Hawkeye fan. He will be remembered for his love of life and his family, and his perseverance and independence.

Carl is survived by his wife, Juanita Benson of Oskaloosa; three children: Ray (& Cathy) VerSteeg of Dallas, Texas; Randy Benson of Oskaloosa and Renee (& Phil) Swift of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren: Dustin (& Jenna) Benson, Jade Swift, Ryan (& Becky) VerSteeg, Nicole (& Bryan) Lyde, Mandy (& Tony) Ricco; 10 great grandchildren; three sisters: Norma Behrends of Mesa, Arizona, Darlene (& Bill) Fisher of Winton, Minnesota, Wanda Tolles of Danville, Illinois; and nieces and nephews.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Doris Yates; and a daughter, Crystal Bingham.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 31, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Del Bittner officiating.
As was Carl’s wish his body will be cremated following the funeral ceremony.
Burial of the urn will be in the Springfield Cemetery at a later date. Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Friday after 10:00 a.m. and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5 until service time at 7 Friday evening.