Chester "Chet" Benson

Chester D. "Chet" Benson, 78, of Iron River, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 23, 2011 at the Northstar Health System in Iron River. Chet was born on January 28, 1933 in Stambaugh, MI, son of the late Norman and Betty (Lindeman) Benson. He graduated from Iron River High School in 1952 and was a lifelong resident of the area. Chet married Virginia "Ginny" Meyers on July 14, 1956 in Ewen, MI. He owned and operated Snowmobile City Arctic Cat dealership and restaurant in Iron River for many years, earning top sales credentials for Arctic Cat snowmobiles in the Midwest several times. He attended Reisch Auction College in Mason City, IA in 1964 and was a well known auctioneer in the area. Chet also was a real estate broker and owned Riverland Real Estate for many years. Most recently he was affiliated with Century21 Goldwood, Inc. in Iron River. He was a member of the Iron County Search and Rescue and a board member for the Iron County Chamber of Commerce. Chet enjoyed flying and was a small aircraft pilot and member of the Civil Air Patrol in Eagle River, WI. He and his wife were well known musicians, Chet and Ginny, who played all over the Midwest and Texas. They made appearances on the nationally syndicated radio program, A Prairie Home Companion. They were the live entertainment at the U.P. Championship Rodeo for 42 years and played at several Iron County Museum functions, including the annual pie social, for over 40 years. They also developed the Great Northern Opry in the U.P. in the early 1970's as well as producing several Country Western and Gospel recordings. They also spent many years performing "A Country Christmas with Chet and Ginny" for the local Snaps with Santa program. Chet was an active member of the U.P. River Church in Iron River where he played his guitar every Sunday. His kindness and generosity were evident in many ways. He donated his auctioneering services to the Iron County 4-H Fat Steer Sale at the fair for many years and he also spent one night each week for over 20 years speaking and ministering at the Mission Bible Training Center in Gaastra. Chet was a devoted husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather. He enjoyed going to camp, hunting, fishing and most importantly time spent with family. One of his greatest joys was serving as a founding member of the exclusive DSC. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ginny; seven children, Barbara (Bob) Moncivais of Iron River, Ed (Hydee) Benson of Iron River, Rosemary (Donie) Malitz of Pearson, WI, Punner (Mike) Franzene of Iron River, Lynda (Wade) Cross of Crystal Falls, Amy (Mark S.) Johnson of Iron River and Heidi (Jim) Barron of Woodstock, IL; a brother, Cornel (Pauline) Benson of Iron River; five sisters, Jean Lindbeck, Carol (Keith) Erickson, Mona (Donald) Sarder & Avie (Ronald) Powell, all of Iron River, and Anncille (Bob) Engel of Oconto Falls, WI; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Chet was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Virginia; an infant brother, Norman; and his brother-in-law, Lindy Lindbeck. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 11:00am until 2:00pm at the U.P. River Church in Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm at the church. Pastor Jim Pellizzer will officiate. Burial will be in the Bates Township Cemetery in the spring. Pallbearers will be his son, Ed Benson, and sons-in-law, Bob Moncivais, Donie Malitz, Mike Franzene, Wade Cross, Mark S. Johnson and Jim Barron. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Chester "Chet" Benson online at www.nashfuneralhome.net. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the funeral arrangements.

Chester "Chet" Benson

December 23, 1933 - December 23, 2011