Wayne L. Benson

Wayne L. Benson, age 89, of Alexandria, died peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, under the care of Alex Assisted Living and St Croix Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. Matthew Lorenz officiating. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Alexandria.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, February 7th, at the Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Wayne LeRoy Benson was born on September 17, 1935, to Roy and Harriet (Hendrickson) Benson in Glenwood. He was the second oldest of the Benson children and attended Alexandria Area Schools, graduating from Alexandria High School in 1953. On February 15, 1958, he married Berdeen Hertwig at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, and together they started their family.

Wayne worked various jobs before beginning his truck driving career at Ludke’s (later Henry’s Foods) in 1965. He loved being on the road and drove for over 45 years before retiring in 2010. In addition to trucking, he also tended to cattle and crops part-time. He took pride in being a father, making family vacations a priority, especially trips up the North Shore in their converted school bus camper. A natural problem-solver, Wayne enjoyed welding and tinkering, always eager to figure out how things worked. He also loved dancing, especially to polka. He served on the Zion Lutheran School Board for many years, was active in 4-H with his children, and volunteered with senior citizens. Wayne will be deeply missed by his family, but they take comfort in knowing he is now at peace. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Lynn; and brother, Gene Benson.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 66 years, Berdeen; sons, Loren (Diane) Benson of Alexandria and Layne (Karen) Benson of Kalispell Montana; daughters, Lori Benson of Alexandria, Linda (Kent) Solberg of Verndale, and Lisa (Peter) Nygard of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Angie (Billy) Hinshaw, Caleb, Aaron, Micah (Alicia), Joanna, Luke (Rachel) Benson, Rebekah, Ruth, and Hannah Nygard; three great grandchildren; sisters, Audrey Gustafson and Joan Masteller both of Alexandria; sister-in-law, Donna Benson of Maryville, Tennessee; along with many nieces and nephews.

Serving as casket bearers will be Aaron Benson, Micah Benson, Luke Benson, Guy Masteller, Dan Masteller, and Randy Hink. Honorary casket bearers are Allen and JoNette Brogaard, Lucy Roste, Tom Blade, Dean Blade, and the staff and residents at Alex Assisted Living. 

Memorial preferred to St. Croix Hospice, Zion Lutheran School, or Pike Lake Cemetery, Kensington.