Jean Ellen Benson

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jean Ellen Benson, age 86 of Woodbury, MN. Preceded in death by her parents Art and Hazel Sherman, Jean is survived by her husband, David and her three children; Jodi (Rick) Houge, Mark (Becky) Benson, and Michael (Maureen) Benson; her six grandchildren Emilee(Joe) Paroubek, Kirsten (Joe) Uphaus, Natalie (David) Heinrich, Audrey (Zack) Johnston, Matthew Benson, and Mitchel(Haley)Benson and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her dear sister Bev Solinger, brother Bill (Sue) Sherman, sister-in-law Carol (Mike) Gorman and brother-in-law Bob (Pat) Benson along with many nieces and nephews.

Jean was born on October 22, 1938 in Albert Lea, MN. Raised in Denison, MN and graduated from Northfield High School. Jean’s love of music and singing, was a lifelong passion and started at a young age. She participated in many choirs, theater and solo work over the years. Jean went on to cosmetology school after high school and worked in Minneapolis where she met her husband David and they were married in Denison in 1959. Dave and Jean moved around MN and IL where they raised their three children, moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1971. There, Jean was very active in her church choir and had many solo opportunities highlighting her “angel like voice”. Jean also participated in various community theater productions and the local musical group “The New Notes”.

Jean later went on to have a career in real estate and was a very successful real estate leader in Cedar Rapids for 17 years. In 1997, Jean and Dave retired and left Cedar Rapids to build a lake home in Stone Lake, WI near family. Jean’s happy place was her beautiful lake home in the woods, where she loved opening her home to entertain her family and friends. Jean also had a passion for gardening and was a member of her local garden club. She loved spending time outside enjoying nature, wildlife and pontoon activities on Slim Lake.

After a couple of years of experiencing northern Wisconsin winters, Dave and Jean became snowbirds in Ft. Myers, FL. Jean loved Florida and had a plaque outside of her condo that stated“I wasn’t born in Florida, but I got here as quick as I could”. That pretty much sums up Jean’s love of warmth and sunshine. Jean enjoyed condo life in Florida, where she had a very active social life and enjoyed golfing with her friends, and hosting her many family members during their “spring breaks”. In addition to all of this, Jean loved traveling during her retirement years and visited many beautiful locations within the US, Europe and the Caribbean.

Jean’s vibrant spirit touched the lives of so many, she was quick witted and clever, and always had a twinkle in her eye. Jean was the heart and soul of her family and known for her flair of style and beauty. Jean’s life was well-lived and she was a lady well-loved. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Visitation 10-11 with 11 AM Memorial Service Saturday August 16 at Bethel Lutheran Church—Highlands Campus, 504 Frontage Rd. Hudson. Memorials preferred Hospice of the Midwest.