Emily F. Benson

Emily F. Benson, 79, of Rockwell, IA, died Thursday, January 15, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 19, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Rev. Kenneth Gehling – Chaplain, Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Rockwell. Memorials may be directed to the Emily Benson memorial fund in care of the family. Emily F. Van Lent was born March 14, 1935, in Dougherty, IA, the daughter of Louis and Elsie (Engels) Van Lent. She graduated from Dougherty High School in 1955. Emily married Donald Ginapp on March 9, 1957, in Dougherty and to this union 3 children were born: Darrell, Patricia and Dawn. The couple later divorced. On September 3, 1983, Emily married Virgil Benson. Over the years Emily worked for Lifetime, Schneider Metal Mfg. and Winnebago Industries (16 years), before her retirement in 2003. Emily was a thoughtful person and caring mother, who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed gardening and baking while she was able. Sharing a meal with friends and family and playing games – especially Bingo, were some of her favorite activities. Emily is survived by her 3 children: Darrell Ginapp and wife Bernadette of Rockwell, Patricia Gannon and husband Steve of Cedar Rapids, IA and Dawn Levenhagen and husband Mark of Cresco, IA; 8 grandchildren: Wyatt, Katelin, Trevor, Keegan, Lauren, Michael, Greg and Chad; 3 brothers: Walter Van Lent and wife Midge of Sycamore, IL, Leonard Van Lent and wife Pat of Ankeny, IA and Joe Van Lent and wife Lora of Des Moines, IA; 1 sister: Erma Zilly and husband Edward of Mason City; 1 sister-in-law: Rozena Van Lent of Mason City; and her aunt: Grace Lonergan of Mason City. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Virgil, a sister in infancy: Florence; 2 sisters: Helen Fitzgerald and Mary Murphy; and 1 brother: Ted Van Lent. The family would like to thank the staff of the Rockwell Community Nursing Home for the wonderful care, comfort and friendship they provided to Emily.

Cemetery:
Interment will take place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Rockwell.

Memorials may be directed to the Emily Benson memorial fund in care of the family.

Visitation:
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.