Patricia Benson

ROCHESTER, MN: Patricia Hallett Benson, 82, died on January 22, 2015 at Golden Living East surrounded by her family. Patricia Rosa Dell Hallett was born on October 27, 1932, in Fergus Falls, MN to the Rev. Leslie and Rosa (Schweitzer) Hallett. She moved with her family to Rochester, MN in 1946. After graduation from Rochester High School in 1950 and Rochester Junior College in 1952, she attended Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. Patricia married Dr. Donald S. Benson on June 23, 1956, at Calvary Episcopal Church, in Rochester, MN and moved to Jacksonville, NC with Donald as he served as a dentist for two years with the U.S. Navy Corps. The couple moved back to Rochester in 1958. In addition to being a homemaker, she was the bookkeeper for her husband's dental practice and a medical secretary at the Mayo Clinic Department of Family Medicine from 1982 to 1994. Patricia was a member of the Zumbro Valley Dental Auxiliary, the Minnesota State Dental Auxiliary and volunteered at Rochester Methodist Hospital. Her leisure activities included playing the piano, singing, sketching, painting, refinishing furniture and traveling. She participated in Scouting as a Cub Scout den mother and as a Girl Scout leader. Patricia was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church where she sang in the Church Choir, taught Sunday School as well as Confirmation. Patricia loved spending time with her family and playing many board and card games together. She was a devoted and loving wife, sister, mother and grandmother. Survivors include a son, Eric Benson (Lynn Schomburg) of Lakeville, MN and a daughter, Kristen (Michael) Phillips of Apple Valley, MN; four grandchildren, Katrina and Garth Benson and Austin and Madeline Phillips; a sister, Rosemary Crowe of Houston, TX and a brother Rev. Timothy (Mary) Hallett of Bloomington, IN, and many nieces and nephews. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband; Dr. Donald S. Benson, three brothers; William "Billy" Hallett, the Rev. Paul Hallett, the Rev. Leslie Hallett and two sisters; Gwendolyn Erickson and Barbara Bopp. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday January 31, 2015 at Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Anjanette Bandel and the Rev. Timothy Hallett co-officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service. Burial of Patricia's cremains will be at the Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested to either the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 54231 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN55901 (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com