1927
Mary
2013
Mary Louise Benson
March 29, 1927 — April 2, 2013
Mary Louise (Marylou) Benson, 86, a wife, mother, and homemaker passed away peacefully on April 2, 2013 from natural causes at the Marias Medical Center in Shelby. A memorial celebration is being planned for early July 2013. Anyone with questions regarding the memorial service may contact Wanda Kennedy at 406-424-8095 or kennedy@3rivers.net. The family suggests memorials be directed to the Marias Heritage Center, 111 2nd St So, Shelby, MT 59474.
Mary Lou is survived by sons, John Benson (Debby) of Houston, Dave Benson (Jane) of Franktown, CO, Gary Benson (Kathrin) of Houston, TX and L.G. Benson (Yanira) of Houston, TX; a daughter, Wanda Kennedy (Larry) of Shelby; as well as 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great- great-grandchildren.
Marylou was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, David ‘Dave’ Benson, and a grandson, David Benson of Bigfork.
Marylou was born the youngest of 5 children to Frank and Mary Jane (Buchanan) Billmayer of Harlem, MT. Marylou was raised in Harlem but lived with her family for a brief time in Tacoma, WA where she attended Aquinas Academy, before returning to Kalispell where she graduated from Flathead County High School in 1945. In 1946 she met and married Dave Benson while employed as a cook at the M-Lazy-B Ranch in Marion, MT. They lived at the ranch for 9 years. During that time they hand-built a log house and had their first son, John. After spending 1948 in Kerrville, TX the family then returned to Montana where Dave and Marylou completed their family. Dave worked in road construction which took them all over the state. After many years the family purchased a home and settled down in Bigfork where they resided until 1994. From there, they moved to Sunburst where they spent their summers, and wintered in Quartzsite, AZ. While in Quartzsite Mom enjoyed 4-wheeling, Bingo, dry washing for gold, potlucks, and visiting with friends.
Mary Lou is survived by sons, John Benson (Debby) of Houston, Dave Benson (Jane) of Franktown, CO, Gary Benson (Kathrin) of Houston, TX and L.G. Benson (Yanira) of Houston, TX; a daughter, Wanda Kennedy (Larry) of Shelby; as well as 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great- great-grandchildren.
Marylou was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, David ‘Dave’ Benson, and a grandson, David Benson of Bigfork.
Marylou was born the youngest of 5 children to Frank and Mary Jane (Buchanan) Billmayer of Harlem, MT. Marylou was raised in Harlem but lived with her family for a brief time in Tacoma, WA where she attended Aquinas Academy, before returning to Kalispell where she graduated from Flathead County High School in 1945. In 1946 she met and married Dave Benson while employed as a cook at the M-Lazy-B Ranch in Marion, MT. They lived at the ranch for 9 years. During that time they hand-built a log house and had their first son, John. After spending 1948 in Kerrville, TX the family then returned to Montana where Dave and Marylou completed their family. Dave worked in road construction which took them all over the state. After many years the family purchased a home and settled down in Bigfork where they resided until 1994. From there, they moved to Sunburst where they spent their summers, and wintered in Quartzsite, AZ. While in Quartzsite Mom enjoyed 4-wheeling, Bingo, dry washing for gold, potlucks, and visiting with friends.
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