Obituary of Anne E. (Nelson) Benson

Anne E. (Nelson) Benson

April 20, 1950 - November 14, 2023

Anne “Bean” Benson, age 73, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023. She was born on April 20, 1950, to Anne Hazzard and Paul Barkley, who divorced when she was young. When she was 9 years old her mother married LeMar Nelson, who adopted her and was a loving father until he recently passed away. Graduating from Blooming Prairie High School in 1968, she met the love of her life, Vernon Benson, at college in Mankato. They were married on March 7, 1969. Anne stayed home to raise her children, Trista and Jesse, and later went to Winona State University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Physics and then a Master’s Degree in Math from Mankato State University. She taught math at Rochester Community and Technical College for 25 years. 

Anne and Vern enjoyed traveling around the world including destinations like Europe, Antarctica, and the Amazon River, and went on 30 trips to Disney World with family and friends. They had a passion for house renovation and built or remodeled many of their homes. She was creative and enjoyed many crafts, including creating an elaborate yard which was featured in the Mayowood Garden Tour in Rochester, with plants, elf houses, and even a labyrinth. She loved spending time with friends and family and having game nights. 

Anne is survived by her husband of 54 years, Vernon Benson, her children, Trista (Jay) Hansen and Jesse (Lisa) Benson and her grandchildren Tyler, Anna and Sophia, as well as her sisters from Minnesota, Teri Hendrickson and Renee Orrell and her sisters and brothers from California, Lynne Watkins, Paul C. Barkley, John H. Barkley, and Joan Giroux.  She was preceded in death by her father Paul Barkley, mother Anne Nelson, and adoptive father LeMar Nelson. 

Funeral services will be held at Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church, 14401 Pilot Knob Rd, Apple Valley, MN 55124 on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:00 am. There will be a visitation an hour before the service and lunch will follow the service. There will be an interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.