Gertrude Benson, 93, Jasper, died peacefully on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at her home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery near Jasper. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Pipestone.
Gertrude Bergin was born July 19, 1927, to John and Margaret (Bresnahan) Bergin in Garretson, South Dakota. She was baptized at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson. She was raised on a farm in Sherman, South Dakota. She attended Sherman Country School until her junior year and then attended Jasper High School, graduating in 1945. She attended one year of cosmetology school at the Sioux Falls College of Beauty.
On Sept. 12, 1949, she married Otis Benson at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. The couple lived in Jasper where Gert started a career in cosmetology in a business with her sister, Veronica Herrmann. When she and Otis started a family, she moved her shop to her own home in Jasper. Gert continued to live in her own home after Otis’ death. She retired from hairdressing at the age of 87.
Gert was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the women’s circle. She was proud of her Irish heritage and her Catholic faith.
Gert loved doing hair and missed seeing her faithful customers when she retired. Her most prized possession was her children, and in later years many trips and travels were taken with them. Gert was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching her children’s and grandchildren’s sports as well as the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Gert was involved in Jasper as a judge for the Jasper Goat Races, a member of the Red Hat Society, and a member of the Senior Citizens where she enjoyed several trips. She also enjoyed playing cards with friends.
Gert is survived by her children, Kristin (Tom) Nelson of Broomfield, Colorado, Kord (Dana) Benson of O’Neill, Nebraska, Kyle Benson of Austin, Texas, Kelly (Bernie) Benson of Willmar, Kerri (Malcolm) Johnston of Elk Point, South Dakota, and Kolin Benson of Marshall; one daughter-in-law, RaVae Benson; 16 grandchildren, Cody Benson, Jeff Ellefson, Tanna, Troy and Taylor Benson, Laura, Kent Jr., and Steven Benson, Shane Benson, Ryan and Jill Bahn, Jesse DeGrote, Alissa Platt, Jami and Jack Johnston and Jordan Benson; several great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Vernon Bergin of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Catherine McCulloch of Sedona, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Otis; three sons, Kevin, Kim, and Kent Benson; and an infant daughter, Kolleen; one son-in-law, Don Stoltenberg; three sisters; three brothers; and special lifelong friend Millie Ahrendt.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Pipestone, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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