Gordon Frank Benesch

Gordon Frank Benesch was born on June 1, 1924 in Faribault, the son of Frank and Clarabell (Carlton) Benesch.  He attended school in Faribault. At the age of 12 he worked for a dry cleaner, firing a boiler. At 14 he delivered papers and sold magazines. At 17 he worked in a foundry in Faribault. Following that job he went to Wyoming and worked at a CCC Camp, a government project. In 1941 he came back to Faribault and worked for Wilson and Co. until he was 18, then while working for Gallegar Plumbing and Heating he was drafted into the U. S. Army.  Gordon spent two years in France and England during WWII. On September 17, 1949 Gordon was married to Phyllis Smith in Faribault. When he came out of the army he went to work at Wilson and Co. in Albert Lea. He became Chief Engineer and worked there until the plant closed.  He then went back and worked for Farmstead until he retired in 1992.  Gordon was a member of the United Methodist Church. He ushered there for many years and still was able to greet on Sunday mornings. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. Gordon liked to travel having been to Maryland, New York, Florida, Texas and California. The last twenty years he travelled in a motor home, spending winters in Texas from 1993-2003.
Survivors include his wife Phyllis of 64 years; children Kenneth (Linda) Benesch of Corpus Christi, TX, Keith (Darlene) Benesch of Albert Lea, Janeen Benesch of Shakopee, MN, and Jolene (John) Berg of Northwood, IA; grandchildren Jesse Benesch, Troy Benesch, Jennifer Norgaard, Tim Benesch, Jeff Benesch, Tina Berg, Tiffany Mellen, and Nathan Berg; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters Marian Martinson of CA, and Mildred Weinand of Richfield, MN; several nieces and nephews; and his two cats Dixie and Dolly.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, his son Kevin this year, and three brothers-in-law.