On May 27, 2012, Almeda Benson, age 90, passed away peacefully at the Heritage Place Nursing Facility in Kalispell, Montana. Almeda was born Elizabeth Almeda McGrath on November 15, 1921 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Louis and Nora McGrath. Almeda was raised with four sisters and three brothers in Anoka, Minnesota She and Richard (Dick) Benson were united in marriage on May 21, 1943 and were together for 38 years. During that time they raised four children. They moved to Montana in 1951, eventually settling in Augusta, Montana for the next 12 years before moving to Great Falls. Almeda became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1966. Upon completing her degree she practiced nursing at the Deaconess, Columbus and Benefis Hospitals in Great Falls. She continued her nursing career in Bozeman in 1978 at Hillcrest Retirement Center. Upon moving to Kalispell in 1989 she worked for In Home Health Care, retiring from that position. Almeda was an excellent and talented nurse. She was an avid reader and traveler, meticulous seamstress and a crossword pundit. Almeda and Dick always found time for family gatherings including picnics, family trips and 4th of July celebrations. For them, any excuse for a celebration was excuse enough. Almeda was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dick; son Roger; daughter-in-law Eve; granddaughter Stacey; and her siblings. She is survived by her daughter Lynne Jermunson (Dr. Dick Kauk, DVM) of Billings, MT; son Ralph (Debbie) of Charleston, WV; son Bob (June) of Kalispell, MT; 8 grandchildren, Jeff (Rushany) Jermunson of Filer, ID; Chris (Christine) Jermunson of Huntley and their father, Don Jermunson; Steve (Jennifer) Benson of Lockwood; Stacey's husband Ken Richardson of Colstrip; Meghan Benson of Madison, WI; Adam Benson of Charleston, WV; Krista Benson of Spokane, WA; Derek Benson of Kalispell, MT. 7 great grandchildren, Nate and Gracie Jermunson of Huntley; Laci Jermunson of Filer, ID; Alex Schaff and Amanda Christenson of Colstrip; Parker and Roger Benson of Billings; brother-in-law Ralph (Maggie) Magnuson of Minneapolis, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. The family is greatful to the nurses and support staff at Heritage Place in Kalispell, for the good, compassionate care she received during her residency. Cremation has taken place. A family memorial service will be held in Billings at a later date to celebrate her life. The family requests you make a contribution to your favorite charity rather than sending flowers. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.
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