Lillian Benham

Funeral services for Lillian Benham of Morris, Minnesota, will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Morris, with Reverend Hector Franco officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be at the Chokio Lutheran Cemetery in Chokio, Minnesota.  

Alice Lillian Jipson, daughter of Harry and Ysabell (Swann) Jipson was born on September 25, 1926 near Moneta, Iowa. She attended Trimello School near Moneta before moving with her family to a farm by Chokio, Minnesota in 1935. She resided on the farm until 1937 when she moved into town with her mother and sister Myrta. Lillian graduated from Chokio High School in 1945. After completing business college in Madison, Wisconsin, she was employed at the Chokio Creamery office.

Lillian was united in marriage to Leo Benham September 2, 1951 at the Chokio United Methodist Church. The couple resided on a farm by Chokio until September 1994 when they moved into Morris. Together, Lillian and Leo worked on the farm and raised their family. They instilled in their children the importance of getting a good education and having a strong work ethic. Lillian spent hours gardening, cooking, baking and refinishing furniture appreciating the beautiful grains renewed in the wood.

Lillian was a woman of steadfast faith sharing the love of Christ through her acts of kindness and generosity. Many felt her encouragement and love through visits, cards and phone calls. She was an active member of the Chokio United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and taught Sunday School. In later years, she attended the Morris Evangelical Free Church.

Lillian loved her family deeply and treasured the time she spent with them. Family vacations with four generations were the highlight of her year. Well into her later years, she continued to take on new challenges including learning new technology to stay connected with family. After moving to Morris, she was a member of the student club in Morris, attended bible study, widows on Wednesday group and volunteered at the SCMC gift shop. Lillian was known for her hospitality, chocolate chip cookies, Rice Krispie bars and a stash of candy bars for the neighborhood children.

Lillian died on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the Stevens County Medical Center in Morris, surrounded by family. She was 96 years old.

Lillian is survived by her children: Sue (Scott) Buss of Ramsey, Mark Benham of Springfield, Missouri, Beth (Dean) Bourne of Big Stone City, South Dakota, Myrna (Terry) Hoffa of North Branch, Sandy Sather of Lino Lakes, and Anne (Gary) Nelson of Hutchinson;  grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nicole (Chris) John and sons Nate and Devin, Ethan (Michelle) Sletten and daughter Taylor, Ryan (Abbi) Buss and daughter Ellie, Brett (Jana) Sletten and children Maddie Ohlinger and Sam Ohlinger, William Hoffa, Alec (Tabitha) Nelson and son Liam, Jenna Nelson, son Hudson and stepchildren Kathie and Brayson, Andrew Nelson (Paige Sturges), Erin (Terry) Northrup, and Nick Bourne, along with many nieces and nephews, special friends and neighbors.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo, brothers Ralph, Fayette and Harry Jipson, sister Myrta Diehl, son-in-law Steve Sather, and great-granddaughter Madison Ashmore.

Special appreciation to the staff of Skyview Plaza for the care they provided. She will be missed by everyone who experienced the love of Christ through her life example.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Lillian.