Pastor Curtis Edward Benson

Pastor Curtis E. Benson's service can be watched at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cuwSLYZYLo

Pastor Curtis E. Benson, age 83, of Holstein, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at Unity Point Health - St. Luke's of Sioux City. A private family funeral service will be held at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein with Pastor Bob Lewis officiating. Burial will be at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein. A public visitation will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2020 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein. The family would like all individuals attending the visitation to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein.

Curtis Edward Benson was born on April 30, 1937 in Hartford, SD to Elmer and Nellie (Pearson) Benson.  He graduated from Hartford High School then studied at Augustana College and Gustavus Adolphus before earning a Master of Divinity Degree from Rock Island Seminary.

He was united in marriage to Ivye Carlson on May 4, 1969.  To this union three daughters were born.  He was married to Marilyn (Anderson) Bayro on September 27, 1997. 

Pastor Benson spent 55 years as a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, retiring in 2016 from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein.  Even after retirement, he continued to use his gift of ministering the community of Holstein by visiting nursing homes and anyone in need.  He also supported the ministerial fund for local pastors. 

He was an avid sports fan, following local sports and his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers and Chicago Cubs. He enjoyed reading, auctioneering and flying airplanes.  One could always find him out and about the town visiting friends and singing his “Pastor original” songs.  He found much joy in spending time with family and keeping current stats on his family farm in Hartford.  On several occasions he would ride along in the combine with local farmers at harvest time.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn of Holstein, IA; daughters, Lisa Humphrey and husband Ron of Johnston, IA, Laura Pfeufer and husband Brian of Closter, NJ, Debra Benson and Alex Norman of Santa Monica, CA; son, David Bayro of Seattle, WA; granddaughters, Morgan Meyer and Jilian Meyer of Des Moines, IA, Birdie Pfeufer of Closter, NJ, Coral Norman of Santa Moncia, CA; and grandsons, Connor and Aric Humphrey of Ankeny, IA and Ty and Cole Pfeufer of Closter, NJ; sisters, Edna Haase and husband Richard of Hartford, SD and Mabel DuPriest and husband Travis of Racine, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margie Pederson; brothers-in-law, Lee Pederson and Randy Anderson and father-in-law, David Anderson.

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