Ardella Theresa Benson

Age 97, of Prior Lake, passed away June 2, 2023. Predeceased by her husband of 39 years Donald; parents John and Theresa (Tennis) Schmidt; brothers John Schmidt and Lester Schmidt; sisters Mildred Schmidt, Alice Heid, and Alma Dahlin.

Survived by daughters Margie (Bob) Mycka and Judy (Bradley Johnson) English; son Jerold (Jennifer) Benson; grandchildren Cary, Kristi, Eric, Matthew, Danielle; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Inez Williams, and Jean (Jack) Weber; many other relatives and friends.

Ardella Theresa Schmidt was born in Waseca, Minnesota on February 5th, 1926. She moved to South Minneapolis in 1942 at the age of 16 and rented a room from a family friend while attending South High School. She graduated in 1944 and went to work at Sears Roebuck. During this time, she established a pen pal relationship with a World War 2 soldier stationed in the Aleutian Islands. This relationship continued for the remainder of the war, and she eventually met, and married that soldier, Donald Benson, in 1946. They moved to Appleton, Minnesota.

In 1947, they had a daughter, Margie, and moved to Northeast Minneapolis. Their 2nd daughter, Judy, was born in 1952 and their son, Jerold, was born in 1959. During these years they had many family vacations, including a trip to California along the old ‘Route 66’. They also built a family lake cabin near Clearwater, Minnesota.

Ardella went to work in downtown Minneapolis as a seamstress at Artneedle in 1978 and worked there until her retirement in 1991. She moved to Columbia Heights in 1985 and Prior Lake in 2006. Her last six months of life were spent at Oak Terrace Senior Living in Jordan, Minnesota.

She enjoyed spending time with family and traveling. Her and her husband would escape the Minnesota February weather with trips to Texas, Florida, and Hawaii. Ardella went to Europe twice, Australia, and a sailing trip in the pacific northwest. The Minnesota State Fair was a special treat she enjoyed every fall for several years.

The family would like to thank the staff at Oak Terrace Senior Living and the Hospice staff that attended Ardella. They were very professional and kind and made her last months as comfortable as possible. She was loved dearly and will be greatly missed.

Funeral service is Monday, June 12, 11:00 AM at Sunset Funeral Chapel, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd. NE, Minneapolis. Visitation one hour prior to funeral service (10:00 AM). Interment service to follow.

You are invited to join Ardella’s family at Perkins Restaurant, 696 County Road D West, New Brighton, following the interment service.