Donald Benson

Donald D. Benson, 91, of Hurley died Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg of end stage kidney disease. Funeral services will be 1:00pm Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Hurley with burial with full military honors at the Hurley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-6:00pm Friday at the church with a Prayer Service at 6:00pm. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home.
Memorials may be directed to the Luther Classical College (LCMS) of Casper, WY or the Hurley Zion Lutheran Church.
Donald Duane Benson came into this world just as the Dust Bowl hit the Great Plains. Growing up in the Dirty Thirties created a strong work ethic that drove him throughout his life. Donald Duane Benson was born to Allen and Mary (Eckstein) on Nov. 3, 1933 at Eastview Farm west of Hurley, S.D. He grew up on both Eastview and Cloverdale farms, attending country school at District #38 west of Eastview. After graduating from Hurley High School in 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years as a Plane Captain in Navy Patrol planes, teaching pilots to navigate by the stars. Donald was stationed in Hutchinson, Kansas where he met his future wife, Dolores Wood. The two were married at Zion Lutheran Church, west of Eastview Farm, on Sept. 2, 1956. To this union three children were born: James, Jacqueline and Judith. Don was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran, involved in the move to Hurley and served as an elder and chairman for many years. Worshipping in the same church that his grandfather Gottlob helped start, gave him a strong foundation in life.
Donald farmed all his life west of Hurley, feeding cattle, raising crops and purebred hogs. He was a leader in the agriculture industry both locally and nationally. He was a charter member of the S.D. Pork Producers Council. He served six years on the National Meat Board as Chairman of the Pork Industry Group then served six years on the National Pork Board. He was hog chairman at the Turner Co. Fair and the S.D. State Fair. He was President of the Hurley School Board and co-chairman of the 1983 Hurley Centennial. He was a member of the Hurley Legion Post 21.
Donald was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. He passed down the joys of hunting and fishing from his parents to his grandchildren, reminding them what is most important time spent together in nature. He loved planning Opening Day pheasant hunts and trips to the Deerfield Lake area in the Black Hills with family and friends.
Donald also taught his family members about their ancestors. He spent hours exploring both the Bensons and Ecksteins and then hosting family reunions to share his discoveries. His research of the Bensons took him to the Plymouth, Massachusetts area several times, reaching back ten generations to the 1600's.
Donald was a skillful carpenter and artist, even into his latter years. These interests allowed him to combined all of his passions - whether building a hog barn or a house, drawing his ancestors or "Symbol II", the ideal pig.
Donald is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dolores; children James Benson, Hurley, S.D., Jackie (Doug) Bogue, Beresford, S.D., Judith Donahoe, Sioux Falls, S.D.; eleven grandchildren: Justin (Jocelyn) Benson, Elliot Benson, Maria (Chet) VanderVelde, Katie (Travis) Ceroll, Steven (Allison) Bogue, Rebecka (Ryan) Docken, Jessica (John) Martinez, Bradford (Shelby) Bogue, Jacob Donahoe, Joshua (Mikaela) Donahoe, Jeremiah Donahoe; 23 great-grandchildren; siblings Marilee Petersen (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Nancy Reiners (Hickman, NE).
Donald is preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Richard.