Sharon E. Benson

Sharon E. Benson, age 59, of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, died Monday, January 26, 2009 at home following a long battle with cancer. Memorial Services will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday, April 25, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. The Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen will officiate with burial in Lutheran Cemetery. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of arrangements. Sharon Elaine (Phillips) Benson was born in Decorah, IA on August 12, 1949, the daughter of William and Maxine (Tovson) Phillips. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church and graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1968. She was united in marriage to Dennis Benson on January 4, 1970. They moved around before settling in Madill, OK where she worked at a nursing home. Following the death of Dennis in 1997, she moved to Truth or Consequences, NM and there she cleaned rooms at Best Western Motel. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, in 1997; her father, William Phillips, in 1984; her grandmother, Melvina Tovson, in 1989; a nephew, Brian Phillips, in 2007; and a niece, Rhonda Jermeland, in 2008. Sharon is survived by her mother, Maxine Phillips of Decorah, IA; one brother, Lyle (Cathy) Phillips of Bluffton, IA; three sisters: Linda M. Moen of Decorah, IA, Vickie (Charles) Larson of Elgin, IA, and Cathy (Brian) Gervais of Decorah, IA; 10 nieces and nephews; and by 27 great nieces and nephews.