Elinor Ruby (Carlson) Bentson

In Loving Memory of

Elinor Ruby Bentson

Elinor Bentson was born on January 6, 1933, on the family farm in Cameron Township, Murray County, Minnesota to Fred and Ruby Aaker Carlson.  She grew up on the farm and graduated from Lake Wilson High School.  In 1954 She and Robert C. Johnson were married on her parents’ farm.  Following their marriage, they farmed in Lowille Township, Murray County, MN.  To this union four children were born, Susan, Jane, Joyce, and Mark.  Robert passed away on September 2, 1963.  On December 1, 1967, she and Arlyn Bentson were married in Flandreau, SD.  Following their marriage, they continued farming in Lowville Township and raised their family.  Elinor was a vital part of the farming operation, whether it was helping with chores, bookkeeping or meals she was right there.  Elinor enjoyed drawing up plans for remodeling a home or a room or building new and helped many family members with this task.  In 2017 Elinor moved to The Meadows in Worthington, MN.  Arlyn passed away on October 26, 2021.  Elinor passed away at her home on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the age of 90.  She was a lifetime member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN. Where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, served in the Ladies Aid, did church decorating and was a Bible Study Leader.  Elinor loved spending time with her family, writing stories, sewing, baking, decorating, and being on her farm with her flower gardens.  Now a word from Elinor “did you wash your hands?”

Survivors include her three children and their spouses, Susan and Roger Oliver of Sioux Falls, SD, Joyce and Tom Bohn of Brewster, MN, and Mark and Kelly Johnson of Elkton, SD, one son-in-law, Rex Streff and Vicky Plaisance of Hadley, MN, 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and two brothers and their spouses, Fredrick and Marion Carlson of Pipestone, MN, and Darwin and Sandy Carlson of Lake Wilson, MN.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Robert Johnson and Arlyn Bentson, daughter, Jane Streff, great-grandson, Pearce Forcier and sister, Carol Nadeau. 

Funeral Services

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Katherine Olson officiating.  The organist is Paul Mesner with special music is by Tom Mesner.  The pallbearers are Kent Carlson, Eric Carlson, Dan Carlson, Kurt Nadeau, Kory Nadeau and Klint Nadeau.  Interment is at Hillside Cemetery in Lake Wilson, MN. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton, MN from 5-7 p.m. also one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. 

To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elinor Ruby (Carlson) Bentson, please visit our floral store.