Rosemary Benson

Rosemary Benson age 93, St. Cloud MN, died peacefully on Monday, May 18,
2026 at Cherrywood Advanced Living in St. Cloud.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Bethlehem
Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the
church on Monday. Interment will be in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Columbarium.

Rosemary was born January 4, 1933, in International Falls, MN to John and Emmy
Tangreen and was raised in Baudette, MN. After graduating from Baudette High School
in 1951, she attended the University of Minnesota where she earned her Elementary
Education degree. Upon completion she began teaching Kindergarten and First grade
at St Louis Park School for 6 years.

In 1955 she met and started dating Robert (Bob) Benson. On June 24,1961 they
were wed in Baudette. They moved to St. Cloud, where Rosemary taught Kindergarten
at Waite Park Elementary School. In June of 1963 they moved to Iowa City, IA, for one
year, to facilitate Bob’s completion of his PhD at the University of Iowa. Their first son,
Stuart, was born during their time in Iowa. They moved back to St Cloud in 1964. Soon
to follow were two more boys, Bradley and Patrick. Rosemary became a very busy
mom, yet made time to be active in Naomi Circle and Quilting club at Bethlehem
Lutheran Church.

In 1973 they built and operated Happy Day Pre-School, where Rosemary had a
teaching schedule that followed the public school calendar. That remained open until
1977. She then started working part time at St. John’s Area School in Foley. Rosemary
finished her teaching career from there in the mid 1990’s. Rosemary was also involved
in various organizations and entertained family and friends frequently in their home. She
was a member of the Faculty Wives, P.E.O. Chapter DT and a bridge club. She and her
family enjoyed many years of summer fun at their vacation home on Pelican Lake near
Breezy Point. Rosemary and Bob traveled widely over the years, visiting almost every
state and enjoyed several Elderhostel trips.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Cherrywood and from
Moment’s Hospice for their wonderful, tender care given to Rosemary.
Survivors include sons, Stuart (Cheryll) Benson of Mahtomedi MN; Bradley
Benson of Breezy Point MN and Patrick (Bethany) Benson of St Cloud MN. Eight
grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, two sisters, and her parents.
In lieu of flowers, Rosemary’s family has requested that remembrances be given in the
form of contributions to the following organization:

P.E.O. Chapter DT
335 Waite Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
In Memo line: ‘Rosemary Benson Memorial’