Randall David Benson

Randall David Benson, age 86, of Benson, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Courage Cottage in Morris, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, Minnesota. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at St. Francis Catholic Church, with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Benson City Cemetery in Benson, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be donated to the family which will go towards special events at Courage Cottage in Morris, Minnesota. Zniewski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Randall David Benson was born Apil 27, 1938, at home in Kildare Township, Minnesota. He was the son of Ben Oscar Benson and Antoinette (Waters) Benson. He was baptized June 12, 1938, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff, Minnesota. June 26, 1950, Randy was confirmed by Bishop John Gregory Murray at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, Minnesota.

Randy grew up south of Benson, Minnesota, in Swenoda Township. He attended country school in Swenoda Township, then went to school in Benson, graduating from Benson High School. He continued his education at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Randy lived south of Benson until he was in Junior High School. He then moved to 9th Street South in Benson with his family. After high school he moved to Buffalo while attending tech school. He then built a home on Snake Road, north of Benson.

July 20, 1963, Randy married Marlyn Reardon at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf. Together they had three sons: David, Scott, and Steve.

In 1984, Randy moved to his 18th Street North home in Benson, Minnesota. On November 3, 1984, Randy married Ronda Dornquast. He worked as an assistant county highway engineer until his retirement. Also, as most know, he owned and operated Randy Benson Refrigeration for 60 years.

Randy was a Prairie Five Volunteer, a VFW Volunteer for Meals, a Red Cross Donor – donating 10 gallons in his lifetime, and he installed life alert systems. He was a proud member of the Army National Guard, serving from December 1958 to December 1964 as a Motor Pool Specialist.

Hunting and fishing were hobbies Randy enjoyed. He hunted pheasants, waterfowl, turkey, and bow-hunted deer. He loved fishing for walleye in the Chippewa River and ice fishing for sunnies. He also enjoyed gardening and taking care of farms.

Randy was called from this life Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Courage Cottage in Morris, Minnesota. He leaves behind his sons: David (Kim) Benson of Clontarf, MN, Scott (Michelle) Benson of Rocklin, CA, and Steve (Kim) Benson of Benson, MN; stepdaughter Stacey (Shane) Carvell of Apple Valley, MN; seven grandchildren: Dustin Benson, Travis Benson, Kayla Benson, Max Benson, Sydney Benson, Annika Carvell, and Aliza Carvell; one great-grandchild Noah Randall; and his brother Rodney (Marti) Benson of Benson, MN.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Antoinette Benson, and his siblings: Allouise Hess of Benson, MN, Benhard Benson of Marshall, MN, Fredrick Benson of Benson, MN, Dennis Benson of Las Vegas, NV, Barbara Riley of Morris, MN, and Mary Cline of Morris, MN.