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Joseph S. Benson

July 15, 1935–November 17, 2020

Joseph Silas Benson entered into eternal rest on November 17, 2020, in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho at 85 years of age.

Joseph (Joe) Silas Benson was born on July 15, 1935 in Minot, N. D. He was the sixth of eight children born to Lawrence and Milla Benson. He grew up with his seven siblings, Arnold, Ruby, Eleanor, John, Paul, Lillian and Sharon in Auburn, Wash. After he graduated High School in 1953, he joined the army.

When he entered college, Joe met his first wife, Marlene. Born to this union were his daughter Gloria Elizabath in 1958, and his son Douglas Robert in 1961. They divorced in 1967.

He met Alynda Tate Payne in March of 1971 and they were married June 30, 1972. Alynda brought to their marriage her two daughters, Norma Smith born in 1965 and Elisa Catherine Payne born in 1969. To their union was born one son, Joseph Douglas in 1974.

Joe was an elevator mechanic for 13 years with Western Elevator. Later, he and Alynda purchased a small elevator company in Seattle. For 10 years they built it into a strong and successful company, eventually selling it in 1983. Two years later, Joe purchased a farm in the Southeast corner of Washington State. Ten years later, in 1995, he and Alynda moved from Lynnwood, Wash., to their farm in Pomeroy, Wash. There he was a dryland farmer for 25 years and ran his own museum, The Lewis and Clark Pioneer Museum.

He was a collector of unusual items, a John Wayne fanatic, and a lover of gospel music; he was skilled at the organ and a great singer. He loved all the cats he and Alynda had over the years.

In his final years at Pacifica Assisted Living, he loved to share the gospel with anyone that would listen. Joe wasn't afraid of death because he knew where he was going.

Joe is survived by his wife, Alynda, his five children Gloria, Doug, Norma, Elisa, Joseph and, 13 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

His final resting place is at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn, Wash. A memorial service was held there on March 19, 2021 at 11 a.m.

The family requests memorials to be sent to the Garfield County Food Bank, P O Box 15, Pomeroy, WA 99347.