Virginia "Ginny" Benson

Virginia A. "Ginny" Benson, 85, of Iron River, was called home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, while in the caring and loving arms of her granddaughter, Sari. She was born December 29, 1935, in Minneapolis, MN, daughter of the late Ann Lane. She was raised by her grandmother Katherine Grabrick in Ewen, Michigan, while her mother and Aunt were regular musicians with the Grand Ole Opry as the “Lakeland Sister’s.” Ginny was very involved in school events, she was in school plays and other programs, she won a gold cup in oratory competition, and she was a cherry pie winner all the way to the State finals. Ginny attended Girls State. She was elected prom queen, was the Senior Class President, and was editor of the yearbook staff. She was a student council member and was a member of chorus and band. Ginny was born with a compromised immune system and during her school years, Ginny had poor health with serious lung problems. Ginny graduated from Ewen High School in 1954, and later married Chester “Chet” Benson on July 14, 1956, in Ewen, MI. She had her first major lung surgery in October of 1960, and a second surgery in May of 1961. In spite of her poor health, Chet and Ginny had several children and continued to play for local and national venues, along with both private and public parties. In May of 1973 she had her final major lung surgery, leaving her with two partial lungs. What a miracle to have been able to sing and yodel the way she did with partial lungs. We always said, God found favor with her as she was so vocally gifted! She won several voice competitions with yodeling being her signature in song. She was an accomplished seamstress and made her children's outfits for numerous parades and family events. She was fantastic in the kitchen. Every cake, every loaf of bread and every meal was made from scratch. No box cakes or pre-packaged food was a part of any meal served in her kitchen! Ginny and her husband 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 founded 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. Ginny attended the U.P. River Church for a time with her husband. They performed on the “Midnight Jamboree” at the Earnest Tubb record shop in Nashville. They cut their first 45 record in 1983 with the “A” side as an original yodeling song. Of all her accomplishments and having such a joy-filled life, her proudest accomplishments were that of raising seven children, all of whom know the Lord. “No greater accomplishment than that!” she used to say. Ginny is survived by seven children, Barbara Moncivais (Mike) Stafford of Iron River, Ed (Hydee) Benson of Iron River, Rosemary (Donie) Malitz of WI, Punner (Mike) Franzene of Iron River, Lynda (Wade) Cross of Crystal Falls, MI, Amy (Mark S.) Johnson of Iron River and Heidi (Jim) Barron of IL.; her siblings, Sharon White of Gladstone, MI, Diane (Jim) Gibula of WI, Anita (Mike) Brass of OH, Eugene Lane of White Pine, MI, Judy (Allan) Anderson of Ironwood, MI, Terry (Bruce) Brzoznowski of Iron River, and Gary (Mona) Lane of Iron River, MI; in-laws, Cornel (Pauline) Benson of Iron River, Carol Erickson, Donald Sarder & Avie Powell, all of Iron River, and Anncille (Bob) Engel of Oconto Falls, WI; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to her mother and husband in 2011, Ginny was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Virginia; son-in-law, Robert “Bob” Moncivais; great-granddaughter, Kaylea Mylchreest; in-laws, Mona Sarder, Jean and Lindy Lindbeck, Keith Erickson, Ronald Powell and Joann Lane. Ginny’s celebration of life will be held Friday, October 22 at the U.P. River Church with Pastor James Pellizzer to officiate. Public visitation at 10:00 A.M. followed by the celebration service at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be in the Bates Township Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Ginny Benson online at www.nashfuneralhome.net. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the funeral arrangements.

Virginia "Ginny" Benson

December 29, 1935 - September 28, 2021