John Dennis Benson

While we mourn his passing, we celebrate his new life in Heaven. John lived a remarkable life of adventure and hard work. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

John was born on July 5, 1939 along with his twin brother, Jack, in Cando, North Dakota, to Ben and Marie (Lindgren) Benson. He graduated from Cando High School 1958 and attended the Wahpeton State School of Science, where he studied drafting and estimating. During his high school and college years, John participated in boxing, football, track, and cheerleading. He was especially proud of running a 4:34 mile. John later transferred to the University of North Dakota, where he majored in industrial arts education.

John married his first wife Darlene (Buro/Hafner) in Oakes, North Dakota and together they had two daughters, Renae and Lisa. In 1965 John moved his family to Minneapolis, where he worked as an estimator for Flour City Architectural Metals. During his time there, he contributed to major projects, including estimating for the IDS Center and the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis. This experience helped lay the foundation for his future entrepreneurial pursuits. In 1978, John founded Benson Metals Inc., where he developed a full line of products including carts, ladders, stairways, school lockers, and more. Over the course of his career, he designed and secured five patents in the United States and Canada.

John’s “can-do” spirit led to a remarkable 60-year career as an architect, draftsman, inventor, and entrepreneur.

A visionary problem-solver, John believed everything had its place. He was known for his organization, ingenuity, and commitment to bringing order, security, and simplicity to those around him. John later met and married Barbara Sandberg and together they shared 36 wonderful years of marriage. He was a devoted husband and partner, and they enjoyed daily routines, quiet mornings with coffee and WCCO radio, and watching life unfold from their front porch.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Marie Benson and his twin brother, Jack Benson; stepmother Arlene (Reed/Noble) Benson; brothers-in-law Don Hanson, Jim Ziegler, Glen Hill; and niece Kim (Hanson) Frietag.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Benson; his daughters Renae (Scott) Sundgren, their children Joey and Brooke (Cam) Anzel; Lisa (John) Jones, their children Nick (Matt) Mitchell-Jones, Rebecca, Grace, and Sam; stepsons, Mark (Karen) Sandberg and Dave (Dana) Sandberg, their children, Justin and fiancée, Hannah Young, Krista (Cody) Spahr and Logan; great grandchildren Brady Adkins Jones, Callie Jane Anzel and Alder Jack Sandberg; sisters Janice Hanson, Judy Ziegler, and Joanne (Jerry) Bergin; stepsiblings Dan (Virginia) Noble, Rondel (Ron) Robinson, Jesse (Susan) Noble; and many nieces and nephews.

John’s legacy lives on through his loving family and all those whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations or gifts may be made in his honor of John Benson to the Fire Fighters for Healing or Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Interment will take place at a later date at Halling Cemetery in rural Zion Township, Cando, North Dakota.

A visitation will be held at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125, US, on April 24, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home on April 24, 2026, at 11:00 am.