Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Faith Church in Sidney.  The family will greet friends on Thursday evening, November 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.   The celebration of life service will be live streamed on the United Faith Church Facebook page on Friday morning.

Marilyn Joy (Brownlee) Benson of Sidney, Iowa, died on October 21, 2024, at her daughter's home in Holly Springs, North Carolina, surrounded by all four of her children. She was 83 and had been suffering from lymphoma.

The oldest daughter of Dale and Anna Brownlee, Marilyn was born on June 17, 1941 in Clarinda, Iowa. She spent her early years in Coin before the family moved to a farm in rural Northboro, Iowa. She was a 1959 graduate of Farragut High School and earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Iowa State University.

In 1960, Marilyn was united in marriage with Richard Lynn Benson of Sidney. They met at a 4-H dance when they were both in high school and celebrated 51 years of marriage before Lynn's death in 2011.

Marilyn was the oldest cousin on both sides of her family and was always holding a baby at family events. It's no surprise that her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She stayed at home raising her four children as she and Lynn moved from Ames to Valentine, NE, and back to Iowa at Harlan, Sidney, Council Bluffs, Nevada and once again Sidney. While in Nevada, she finished her last two years of her ISU bachelor's degree.

In 1976, Marilyn and Lynn moved their family back to the Benson family farm in Sidney. Marilyn taught 5th grade at Fremont Mills School for two decades. She loved her students and saw the best in each of them. Marilyn was always teaching even when not in the classroom. She taught Sunday school and vacation bible school, and as a 4-H leader, she helped club members develop their talents in public speaking, sewing, cooking, and furniture refinishing. Together, Marilyn and Lynn also hosted cultural exchange students from France and sponsored a scholarship to support international study abroad for FarmHouse fraternity brothers or sisters.

As a faithful choir member at all the churches she attended, Marilyn was well known for her beautiful soprano singing voice. She also played organ and piano for Methodist churches in Locust Grove, Council Bluffs, and Sidney. Her deep faith in Christ carried her through many ups and downs over the years. One of her favorite sayings when dealing with difficulties was, "I don't know how anyone can go through times like this without the Lord."

Marilyn was a friend to many and active in every community where she resided. She was a member of PEO, the Monday Club, Delta Kappa Gamma teacher's society, Saint Cecilia's Choir, and United Methodist Women. Quick to share her time and talents, she judged 4-H fair projects, served in the church rodeo stand, and helped set up new displays at the Fremont County Historical Society.

After her children left home, Marilyn caught the theater bug, quickly inspiring her husband Lynn to join her. As active members of the Southwest Iowa Theater Group (SWITG), Marilyn and Lynn directed and acted in several plays together and will be long remembered for their starring roles as Ethel and Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond . They also devoted many hours to renovating the SWITG lobby as well as the Gathering Place in Sidney. In honor of their extensive community service, Marilyn and Lynn were honored at the 2005 Iowa State Fair as "Iowans for a Day."

To the end of her life, Marilyn traveled across the country and the world to visit children and grandchildren, while remaining fiercely loyal to Sidney and her southwest Iowa roots.

Preceding Marilyn in death were her husband, Lynn Benson, and her parents, Dale and Anna Brownlee. Marilyn is survived by her four children and their spouses: Rod (Kelly) Benson of New York City; Kim (Ken) High of Holly Springs, North Carolina; Brenda (Andrew) Werth of Wilmette, Illinois; and Rebecca (Mark) Ferley of Chesapeake, Virginia; nine grandchildren: Thomas and Peter Benson; Elise (Spencer) Ware and Anna (Johnny) Barney; Alexandra, Victoria, and Charlie Werth; Alec (Ally) Ferley and Nicole Ferley; three great grandsons (and one on the way): Noah, Ezra and Asa Ferley, and Baby Barney; sister Kathy (Craig) Harris of Shenandoah; and many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that any gifts be directed to either the Fremont County 4-H Endowment for college scholarships ( www.iowa4hfoundation.org/donation-pages/donate-now-fremont-county ) or Fremont County Historical Society (PO Box 671, Sidney IA 51652) for new displays.  Cards of condolence may be sent to Brenda Werth, 1429 Gregory Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091.