Laura Benson, 89, of Clarissa, passed away on January  7, 2010, at the Central Todd County Care Center in Clarissa.  Funeral services for Laura were held on Monday, January 11, 2010, 11:00 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Clarissa with Pastor Gerry Vuchetich officiating.  Interment was at Woodman Cemetery in Clarissa.

Laura was born in Tyler to Andreas K. & Berthe (Jensen) Stauning, on March 29, 1920.  She attended elementary schools in Tyler and St. Paul.  Laura graduated from high school in Boise, Idaho, in 1938.

On September 28, 1946, Laura married William B. Benson in St. Paul.  Laura and Bill lived on the family farm in Eagle Valley Township until 1964 when they moved to Clarissa.  Laura made her home at the Heritage Apartments for 26 years until March 2008 when she moved to an assisted living apartment at CTCCC. 

In earlier years Laura worked in a Danish bakery in Solvang, California and for the street car company in St. Paul.  Laura was a bookkeeper for the Co-op Association for many years.  She owned and operated Benson's Variety in Clarissa.  She was a cook at St. John's Hospital and Central Todd County Care Center and managed the Heritage Apartments in Clarissa for 10 years. 

Laura was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clarissa, United Methodist Women, American Legion Auxiliary, Homemakers, Senior Club, Royal Neighbors of America and did volunteering at CTCCC and Clarissa Senior Center and various other organizations.

Laura's hobbies were music, flower arranging, cooking, baking and embroidery.  She enjoyed entering flower and baking exhibits at the Todd County Fair.  Laura sang many solos for events in the community and was a member of several choirs.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and a dear friend to many.  Laura was a woman of strong Christian faith and was always willing to help and do things for others.

Laura is survived by her children  Vonnie (Bob) Johnson of Salol and Bill (Janice) Benson of Clarissa, 7 grandchildren, Karen Priest, Nathan Johnson and Chad Johnson, Jessica Einan, Rachael Budewitz, Nicole Benson and Kelsey Benson, 14 great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Jean Benson of Mankato and several nieces and nephews.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Linda in 1962, husband Bill in 1983 and her siblings and their spouses.