Iolaine Teresa Schauble Benson passed away peacefully in San Antonio, Texas on April 30th, 2022, just five weeks short of what would have been her 100th birthday. She was born in Pierz, Minnesota on June 4th, 1922, to Catherine and Arthur Schauble who, along with her sister, Anita Smedul, and a baby brother all preceded her in death.
After graduating from high school, she enrolled in, and graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Breckenridge, MN. Immediately after graduation, she and many of her classmates joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and deployed shortly afterward for Europe. Her unit landed on Omaha Beach in September 1944; hers was the first general hospital to cross the Rhine River where they took over a very recently evacuated German hospital property. She later described the situation as “pretty hectic”.
Throughout her travels, there was always the gentleman whom she had met and “kept company with” in more tender times in Minnesota, Bob Benson. Bob had also joined the Army, and they had become secretly engaged before they both deployed. Throughout their time in Europe, they always managed to find an opportunity to visit together in romantic destinations, such as the French Riviera.
When Germany surrendered unconditionally, her unit was ordered to redeploy to the Pacific Theatre to join the war effort there. However, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war abruptly. Just short of entering the Panama Canal, her ship was able to regroup and shoot for New York City. She disembarked and made a beeline for the first train that could get her back to Minnesota. Bob was able to return to the U.S. fairly shortly afterward, and they were married on September 27, 1945. The bride wore her best Class “A” uniform.
After the war, Bob remained in the Army, and later retired in 1962. They had four children along the way, Roberta Shaw (the late Clyde Jr.), Tom Benson (Ann), Deborah Martinez (Nick), and Cindy Wiener (Jim), and grandchildren, Terry Hughes (Adam), Diane Gonzales (David), Michael Shaw (Jamie), Rob Benson (Kori), Amy Benson (Jack), Nicole Martinez, Christopher Martinez (Kelly), Christopher Wiener (Natalie), Tim Wiener (Leticia), and Christina Markham (Andrew).
She also leaves precious great-grandchildren, Samantha, Rebecca, Allison, Brian, Sean, Alexandria, Sofia, Winona, and Christina along with a plethora of nieces and nephews.
She and Bob were among early members of St. Pius X Catholic Church in San Antonio where she found life-long friends and spent many hours volunteering. With grandchildren filled days, she enjoyed “crafting”, and she loved a competitive game of poker!
The family is very grateful for the love and care of three lovely ladies who walked with her (and all of us) for the last few years, Eloise Lopez, Gilma Rodriguez (Mrs. G) and Ceila Follis.
A committal service will be held at 10:45 AM Monday, June 6, 2022 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in Committal Shelter # 5. Military honors will be rendered in honor of Mrs. Benson’s service to her country. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to her beloved St. Pius X Catholic Church.
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