Ruth Benson

Ruth A.E. Benson of Irma, Wisconsin, daughter of Ben and Dena (Krause) Hemmrich was born on January 24, 1926, in Colby, Wisconsin. She passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Merrill, Wisconsin.

She grew up in Price County and attended elementary school in Knox Mills, Wisconsin. She graduated from Prentice High School in 1943. During the war years she worked at Marathon Electric in Wausau. She married John Benson on March 1, 1947, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wausau. He preceded her in death December 23, 1983.

Ruth was a stay-at-home mom until going to work for the former Employers Mutual Insurance Company in 1964. Retired from the former Employers Insurance (now the Wausau Insurance Company) in 1981. While living in Wausau Ruth was an active member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school for 12 years and belonged to the Women’s Missionary Society. Ruth and family moved to Irma in 1970.  She worked at the Parkside Preschool and Lincoln County Social Services Department.

Ruth became a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, in Merrill in 1986 and the Sarah Circle. In 1989 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, she married Les Weber I deceased June 13, 2001. Ruth was a Life member of the DAV Auxiliary, Lutherans for Life, Lincoln County Citizens for Decency, Senior Citizens Friendship Club, and was a part of the Pure Counseling Program in Marathon and Lincoln County.

Ruth loved being around children, especially her grandkids and great grandkids. She enjoyed bird watching and travelling through the US by car. Her hobbies included, reading, crocheting, sewing, gardening and loved to entertain in her home with lots of family get togethers.

Ruth is survived by her son: Michael (Paulette) Benson, grandchildren: John Benson III, Jennifer (John) Meister, Phillip (Berenice) Benson, Meredith Benson, Jeffrey Benson, great grandkids: Katelyn (Alexis), Jacob (Ingrid), Ruthie, Sarah, Caleb, great-great grandkids: Irene, Alexis, Allison and Mateo Benson and sister Marion Perkins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son: John Benson, brother: Lieutenant Colonel Fred Hemmrick, sisters: Dorothy Dunn, and Adeline Peterson.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 11:00 am at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, from 9:00 am until the time of service also at the church. Interment to take place at Chat Cemetery in the Town of Birch.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.