Maurice Red Benson, 84, died on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN. with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 P.M. on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. with a prayer service at 7 P.M. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Maurice Red Benson was born on May 22, 1924 in East Grand Forks, ND to Nels and Edith (Peterson) Benson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Argyle and attended school in Argyle as well. In 1944 Red enlisted in the Marines and was stationed at Okinawa. There he was wounded in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart. On February 4, 1947 Red was united in marriage to Geraldine Corriveau. To this union five children were born. Later Red went to work for the Great Northern Railroad which eventually became Burlington Northern. He retired in 1983 after 33 years of service.

Whether it be on ice or open water Red loved to fish. He spent many weekends and vacations at the family cabin on Spring Steel Island at Lake of the Woods. Red also enjoyed playing cards and was rarely rivaled. In his earlier days Red found interest in boxing and became a light weight fighter with the Golden Gloves.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Eagles. He also served as Post Commander and County Commander of the American Legion in Lakota, North Dakota while he resided there.

Red is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Geraldine of Thief River Falls, MN; children, Nancy (Jim) Maddocks of Burbank, CA, Cindy Bratten of Indianapolis, IN, Lowell Benson of Grand Forks, ND, Dean (Kathy) Benson of Plummer, MN, Susan (Steve) Bovee of Portland, OR; 20 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild with two more on the way; siblings, Dr. Lambert (Lola) Benson of Houston, TX, Gen Johnson of Karlstad, MN, Douglas (June) Benson of Grand Forks, ND.; sister-in-law Doris Benson of Chokio, MN; as well as many other friends and relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Lois, brother Floyd; granddaughter Tina, and infant great-grandson Braden.

ORGANIST: Kathy Rokke
SPECIAL MUSIC: Kathy Rokke and the New Hope Praise Singers
SELECTIONS: Precious Lord In The Garden
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Because He Lives How Great Thou Art
CASKETBEARERS: John Johnson, Terry Benson, Tyrone Benson, Jeremy McLean, Jeff Johnson, Dan Johnson
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of Maurices Friends and Family