Sophus Benson

Sophus Thomas Benson, was born May 5, 1922 to John E. and Carrie (Oneson) Benson in Palo Alto County in Cylinder, Iowa. Sophus's family moved to Morris in 1926, where they lived and farmed on the west side of Long Lake in Framnas Township in Stevens County, Minnesota. In 1939, Sophus went to C.C.C. Camp at Two Harbors, Minnesota for one year. He enlisted in the United States Navy on August 28, 1942 in St. Cloud, MN. Following his enlistment, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Indiana Battleship on October 12, 1942, where he served on the ship during World War II in the Pacific Campaign. Sophus was involved with the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Guam. After the war, he attended Gyro Compass School in Brooklyn, New York and was later assigned to the destroyer Richard E. Kraus. Sophus spent six years in the Navy. Sophus worked as an electrician until his retirement. In 1970, he moved to Hancock, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1993, when he moved to Cyrus, MN.



Sophus was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5039 and a member of the Wisconsin Electrical Workers Union Local 388. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially bow hunting deer in the woods near Hancock, Wisconsin and fishing with friends around Wisconsin, Minnesota and into Canada. He especially enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters and their families.



Sophus died on Sunday, February 5, 2006 at his home in Cyrus, having lived to reach the age of 83 years.



He is survived by two sisters: Helen (Fredrick) Kill of Morris and Joan (Ed) Dablow of Morris; one brother: James (Adeline) Benson of Albertville and one sister-in-law: Marjorie Benson of Morris. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister: Shirley Ann; brothers: Onie, Hilmer, Gillis and Norris Benson; niece: Betty Benson and nephew: Robert Benson.



Pallbearers for the service are: Gerald Kill, Thomas Kill, Lyle Kill, Greg Dablow, Scott Devens and Dan Benson. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.