Shirley Rae Benjamin

Shirley Rae Carlson Benjamin was born December 13, 1944, in Nyssa, Oregon, the oldest child of Bernice and Leland Carlson. She was a year old before her father first saw her, as he was serving in Europe during World War II. Four sons were added to the family: Leland, Ralph, Dennis, and Ivan. The family moved several times, as it was difficult for her father to find work after the war. They were living in the Salt Lake area when her father passed away. Shirley was only seven years old. Her mother moved the family back to Nyssa, Oregon, closer to home. There Shirley attended the first half of the fifth grade.

The family moved to Salmon, Idaho, after her mother married Joe Hartle. To that union was born Shirley's only sister, Louise, to whom Shirley became a second mother.

Her stepfather moved the family to Jerome, Idaho, the summer before her 8th grade year. She attended school there for her 8th and 9th grade years before the family moved again, this time to Vale, Oregon, for just a semester of her 10th grade year. Then it was on to Heppner, Oregon, where she graduated high school in 1963. She was excited to begin her college education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, that fall. She attended for three years before she was married.

While she was attending BYU, the family moved to Nampa, where she met Arlen Benjamin at a church activity after his LDS mission. They were married and sealed in the Oakland Temple on May 23, 1967. Shirley always wanted to be a mother, so she was grateful to welcome five boys and two girls into their family. She was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom, helping at the schools as a room mother and volunteer. After the children were all in school, she was a substitute teacher for the Vallivue School District.

The family has been blessed with 30 grandchildren, and they are nearing 30 great-grandchildren. Shirley loved sharing time with the grandchildren, attending their school and church functions, just as she had for their seven children. For many years, she made birthday cards for each member of the family and for friends.

Arlen and Shirley lived in Nampa before building a home on Sunnyslope, where they lived for several years. They moved to Marsing for a year and then to Caldwell. Her final years were spent in the Middleton area.

Shirley was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony of her Savior, which she bore often as she was growing up and as an adult. She served in various church positions as a teacher and a member of the presidency of the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society on the ward and stake levels, and she also taught seminary. She and Arlen served as Pathway missionaries in Nampa and then in Rexburg at BYU-Idaho. They also served as Self-Reliance Missionaries in New Zealand and at home. They were serving in the office of the Meridian Temple as scanners when Shirley became ill. In each of these missions, they were blessed to serve with some wonderful people who became special friends. Many tender mercies have attended them as they have served.

Shirley was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph, Dennis, and Ivan Carlson, and one son, Aaron. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Arlen; brother, Leland Carlson; sister, Louise Cunningham; sister-in-law, Cyntra Carlson; four sons, Nathan (Dawn), Brian (Holly), Kevin (Amy), and Damon (Amy); daughters, Shauna (Jeff) and Sheri; daughter-in-law, NeCole; and numerous grandchildren.

Special thanks to the many loving and thoughtful family and friends who have served the family during this difficult time. And thanks to St. Luke's Hospice for the loving care they gave Shirley these past months, especially nurse Tami.

A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, located at 83 N Midland Blvd, Nampa, ID.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 23644 Old Hwy 30, Caldwell, ID, with an hour viewing prior to services.

Live stream: Zeyerfuneralchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the LDS Humanitarian Aid of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.