Benson Funeral Home

After graduating from the University of Minnesota with an Associate in Mortuary Science degree in 1958, Ray worked for Welander Mortuary in the Twin Cities and the Princeton Funeral Home. In 1962, he opened the original Benson Funeral Home on the east side of St. Cloud. Ray has served many organizations at the city, state and national levels. He was a member of the St. Cloud Rotary Club for over 40 years, serving as its president from 1968 until 1969 and a member of the Top Hatters from 1971 until 1983. He was an officer of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association from 1977 until 1981, the final year of which he was President. Honored by the University of Minnesota in 1979 and 1980, Ray has played a significant role as part of the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank and the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT). Over the years, Ray enucleated over 250 pairs of eyes for the Eye Bank, which provides transplantable corneas to those without sight and to those who conduct research toward the restoration of sight. DMORT is a federal organization of volunteers which functions under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security. Funeral service professionals, forensic pathologists, anthropologists, mental health professionals and others make up DMORT, which responds to natural and national tragedies. Most recently, Ray spent 22 days in New York City following the events of September 11, 2001. Officially retired in 2003, Ray will continue to be involved with Benson Funeral Home while enjoying a well-deserved respite from its everyday tasks.

Mark graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota’s Program of Mortuary Science. In 1986, following an internship with the Rehkamp Funeral Homes in Marshall and Minneota, MN, Mark returned to St. Cloud, joining his father in serving families in St. Cloud and the surrounding area. In 1990, Mark purchased the funeral home, and, along with his wife Angie, continues Benson Funeral Home’s family-owned and operated tradition into its fifth decade. Mark is a member of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce, as well as several fraternal organizations. Like his father, Mark is a certified eye enucleator for the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, receiving its Humanitarian Service Award in 1995 for having performed 100 enucleations. He is active in the Minnesota Funeral Directors Assocation, serving on two of its committees. Mark is also a member of the local American Red Cross Board of Directors. Contact Mark at (320) 252-3132 or mark@bensonfuneralhome.com.

After graduating from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a degree in History and German, Brenda began working part-time at Benson in 1986. The job quickly evolved into a full-time position, and Brenda just as quickly proved herself to be an invaluable member of the Benson Funeral Home staff. Contact Brenda at (320) 252-3132 or brenda@bensonfuneralhome.com.

Bonnie is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker who received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from St. Cloud State University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Minnesota - Duluth. She began work with Benson Funeral Home in 1998. Since 1987 she has been a hospice volunteer at the St. Cloud Hospital. To continue her education, she regularly attends grief and loss seminars. In addition to serving families through Benson Funeral Home, she also facilitates grief groups for Lutheran Social Service and a pet loss support group for Companion Animal Hospital. In addition to her official duties, Bonnie is well-known for sewing teddy bears, which she presents to families who have experienced a death. You can reach Bonnie at (320) 252-3132.

Benson Funeral Home • 1111 25th Avenue South • St. Cloud, MN 56301 • (320) 252-3132 • info@bensonfuneralhome.com