Paul Benson

Obituary

Judge Paul Benson, 85, former federal judge and long time resident of Fargo, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2004 in the company of his family in Madison, WI, after a long struggle with Alzheimers.
Judge Benson was born on June 1, 1918 on his family's farm in LaMoure County near Verona, N.D., the third of six children. He graduated from the University of North Dakota and married Laurel Mae Johnson on December 29, 1942. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. After the war, Judge Benson worked for United States Senator Milton R. Young while obtaining his law degree from George Washington Law School in Washington D.C. Judge Benson practiced law in Grand Forks, N.D. From 1954 to 1955, he served as the Attorney General for the State of North Dakota. In 1971, he was appointed to the federal bench as a District Judge for eastern North Dakota. During his tenure on the bench, he presided over several significant trials, including the trials of Leonard Peltier and Yori Kahl. Judge Benson took senior status in 1985 and retired in 1998. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Laurel Benson, and survived by his daughters, Ms. Santal Manos of Gambrills, MD, Mrs. Polly (Dr. Klaus) Diem of Madison, WI, Ms. Amy (Alan) Benson of Aurora, CO, Ms. Laurie (Philip) Bingenheimer of Bedford, TX and Dr. Peter (Wendy) Benson of North Oaks, MN, as well as twelve grandchildren. The funeral service for Judge Benson will be held Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at United Lutheran Church, 324 Chestnut St., in Grand Forks, N.D. Visitation will be held at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd Street from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004. Internment will be at the Grand Forks Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Memorials: The family prefers that memorials be designated to North Dakota Alzheimers Association, 4357 13th Ave. SW, Suite 203, Fargo, North Dakota, or Hospice Care of Madison, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711. (Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND)