Benson, Homer and Helen

Homer Benson is the son of the late Harvey and Mabel Benson.  He was born in Hannaford, North Dakota.  He attended grades 1-12 in the Hannaford Public School.  Homer enrolled at NDSU, Fargo, North Dakota, and later transferred to Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Minnesota.  When his father died, he gave up his schooling and returned home to assist his mother operate the Hannaford Hatchery.  He is a veteran of the U. S. Navy, World War II. He was a rural mail carrier out of Hannaford from 1946, until his retirement in 1980.

Homer married Helen B. Nelson on May 31, 1942.  She was born and raised in the Binford, North Dakota, community.  Helen is a graduate of the Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota.  She retired from teaching in 1981.

In 1967, Homer and Helen purchased the Eunice and Leonard Larson farm after his uncle, Leonard Larson, passed away.  The farm has great meaning, as it dates back to the late Peter and Dorthea (Ashland) Larson, its origin being 1893.  They are the grandparents of the late Harvey A. Benson family and the parents of Mabel Larson Benson.

Homer and Helen Benson have two children: Karen Beth Benson Brown and Harvey A. Benson.

Karen attended grades 1-12 in Hannaford Public School, Hannaford, North Dakota.  She graduated from Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Minnesota.  Her first teaching job was in Denver, Colorado.  She met and married Captain Eugene L. Brown of the U. S. Air Force June 19, 1971.  He served four years in the Vietnam War.  They reside in Troy, New York.  They have one child, Shannon Elizabeth Brown.

Harvey A. Benson attended the Hannaford Public School grades 1-12.  He graduated from the Brown Broadcasting Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Harvey married Patricia L. Fortuna July 5, 1969.  Patricia grew up and completed grade and high school at Gregory, South Dakota.   She graduated from Airline Hostess School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Harvey and Patricia live in Cooperstown, North Dakota.  They own and operate a carpet and furniture store known as Someplace Else.  They have two children, Nickolas and Joy Elizabeth Benson.

Source:  Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 90