Margaret Wihelminia Benson

Margaret Benson~~She Learned Her Lessons Well

  Bethphage has tried in vain to obtain a personal history and picture of Margaret Benson.  But this much we know:  Margaret was an excellent student; she learned her lessons well.

  Margaret Benson, who was born in the town of Ong, Clay County, Nebraska, to John and Ida Benson on February 6, 1906, was obviously an avid student -- her grades throughout grade school and high school were almost all in the 90's.  Later, after having attended Luther Junior College at Wahoo, Nebraska, and undoubtedly other schools of higher learning, she devoted many years to teaching.  Margaret not only acquired knowledge, but she passed that knowledge on to succeeding generations of students in her classrooms.

  Margaret was an active member of her church.  Obviously, she learned there as well, and took to heart, and practiced such biblical declarations as:"God loves a cheerful giver."  "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  "But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."  "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap."

  Margaret Benson gave generously throughout her life--of her means, and of herself.  And when her life ended on October 4, 1983, she had made provision in abundant measure for several agencies of the Church, including Bethphage, a cause she obviously loved with fervor.  Margaret's estate benefited Bethphage Mission by tangibles in six digit amounts.  Only heaven will ultimately reveal the true worth of Margaret Benson's giving in the name of her Lord and for the benefit of people who were, in many ways, less fortunate than she.  Only in eternity will those of us who call ourselves Bethphage be able to adequately express our profound gratitude to Margaret Benson, a student of Jesus Christ who learned her lessons well.

Rites Friday for Margaret Benson 1983

  The funeral for Margaret W. Benson was last Friday at the Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport.  She died Oct. 4, having reached the age of 77 years, 7 months and 27 days.

  Daughter of John and Ida Hokom, she was born Feb. 7, 1906, on a farm 3 miles north of Ong, Neb.  She was baptized May 4, 1906, by Pastor C. A. Sward in the Stockholm Lutheran Church, Shickley, and was confirmed by Pastor C. O. Isakson, May 8, 1921, in the same church.  Soon thereafter she joined Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Ong.

  After receiving her higher education at Luther College, Wahoo, she taught school for many years in the area.

  In 1967 with the closing of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, she transferred her membership to Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport, where she remained a member until her death.

  Her entire life was lived in the Ong community, and she lived in Ong until July this year when she became seriously ill and was hospitalized in the Lincoln and Hastings hospitals until her death.

  She was preceded in death by her father in 1946 and her mother in 1962.

  Survivors include cousins and other more distant relatives. 

  Pastor Fred J. Wolff officiated at the services.  The Urbauer Funeral Home, Davenport, had charge of arrangements.