James Mark Benson

James Mark Benson, 53, of Byron, passed away peacefully Friday, October 7, 2011., after a five-year courageous battle with cancer, at home, with his loving family by his side. Jim was born in Albert Lea on April 15, 1958 to Donald and Ruth (Black) Benson. He was a graduate of Ellendale High School, 1976 and Winona State University, Criminal Justice, 1981. While in Winona, Jim met Mary Elizabeth Currier of Mantorville, MN. They were wed on June 25,1983 at First Baptist Church in Kasson, MN. Jim andMary have one daughter, Megan Currier Benson. From 1981-1986 Jim worked for the Dodge Center Police Department as a patrol officer. Jim was employed by the Rochester Police Department from 1986-2011. He worked as a patrol officer for 20 years, and during the last five years he was assigned to the staff development training unit with the police department. From 2001-2011 Jim was a member of the Rochester Police/Olmsted County Sheriffs Department, Emergency Response Unit as a sniper, with the last five years as coordinator of the sniper team. Jim loved spending time with his family and enjoyed reading, traveling, boating, kayaking, hiking, biking, cooking, and soap making. Jim was an active member of Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester. He is survived by his loving wife Mary and daughter Megan, both of Byron; mother Ruth Benson of Albert Lea; sister Jane Mattson of Hastings; mother-in-law Margaret Currier of Mantorville; sisters-in-law Kay(David) Johnson of Eagan, Susan (William) Gay of El Centro, CA; brothers-in-law Tom (Micheale) Currier of St. Paul, lke (Brenda) Currier of Kasson, Jay Currier of Mantorville, and Ben Currier of Mantorville; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his father, paternal and maternalgrandparents, and beloved family dog, Samantha. Visitation will be on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 from 4-8 p.m. at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 NW Royal Place NW, Rochester. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 SW Salem Road, Rochester with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. lnterment is at Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville immediately following the funeral. Memorials to the family will be donated to Rochester Police Benevolent Association, American Cancer Society, and Autumn Ridge Church.