Clifford R Benson

Cliff was born on June 06, 1929, in Houston, MN, to Charles and Tena (Traff) Benson. He lived in Houston for many years, then worked on construction in the Chicago area and later returned to Houston where he worked for Ruan/ Mobil Oil.

He married Leona Mickelson in 1948. They lived in Houston, MN.

He later married Juanita Pruitt in 1957. They lived in La Crescent, MN., where they attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death in 1989.

He married Joy Pishion on June 17, 1993. They lived in La Crescent, MN. and attended Cathedral of Praise Church. In 1998 they moved to Holmen, WI., where they continue to attended Cathedral of Praise/ Connect Church in La Crosse, WI. He worked as a semi-driver before retiring from Bob Johnson Oil/ Midwest Fuels. His passion was trucks and driving. He enjoyed travelling to Texas, Illinois, Kentucky and Virginia to visit his sons and their families. His children and grandchildren meant everything to him.

He is survived by his former wife, Leona, and their two children Charles Benson of Pennington Gap, VA. and Kyle Benson of Twin Lakes, WI., grandchildren Toby Benson and Tony Benson both of Owatona, MN., Kelly (Jack) Raske of McHenry, IL., Matthew (Josholen) Benson of Crystal Lake, Il., and Jamie (Bruce) Walter of Mc Cullom Lake, IL., great grandchildren Olivia Raske, Nicholas Raske, Ava Raske and Grace Walter.

He is further survived by his second wife Juanitas children, Gary Benson of Keller, TX., Marsha Bortz of Holmen, and George (Susan) Lay of La Crosse, grandchildren Nicholas Benson, Chad Benson, Alex Benson, Alyssa Martin, Logan Bortz , Kaitlyn Bortz, Travis (Kelly) Lay, and Amanda Lay, great grandchildren, Cameron Lay, Madeline Lay and Erica Martin.

He is survived by his current wife Joy Benson of Holmen and her daughter, Rachel Pishion of La Crescent, MN, grandchildren Samantha Peterson , Nicholas Peterson and his one sister Joan Hauser of La Crosse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Juanita and the following relatives: Lois Payne, Floyd Payne, Renee Benson and Cathy Benson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent. Pastors Jerry and Nancy Hatlevig will officiate. Burial will follow in the Prospect Hill Cemetery, La Crescent, MN. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of services.