Clarice Benson

Clarice Benson, age 86, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Wednesday (October 17th) at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday (October 22nd) at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine. Messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Clarice Jeanette Sandberg was born on January 19, 1921 in Knute Township, rural Erskine, Minnesota to parents Norman and Ida (Maring) Sandberg. She grew up and attended rural school in Knute Township. Her mother died when Clarice was eight years old and she stayed at home to care for her family.She was married to Kenneth Helgaas on October 19, 1940. After their marriage, they lived in Fertile, McIntosh and Rindal, Minnesota where Kenneth worked as a buttermaker at the Creamery in each community. Clarice was united in marriage to Chester Benson on May 12, 1971. Together, Chet and Clarice lived in Crookston, Minnesota and settled in Erskine in 1996 where they have since resided.During her working years, Clarice worked at the Red Owl store and the Top Notch Drive Inn, both in Fertile; the Hartz store, Jenson's Department Store and at the Sunset Home, all in McIntosh; and at JC Penney in Crookston for 15 years until her retirement.She was a past member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston and a current member of Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine where she had been active in various ladies' groups. She was known for her excellent lefse and she liked to sew. Clarice passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 86 years, eight months and 28 days.Survivors include her husband, Chester of Erskine; two daughters, Phyllis (Butch) Sturre of Great Falls, MT, and Judith McGavock of Grand Forks, ND; one son, John (Sherri) Helgaas of Crookston, MN; two grandchildren, Kimberly Sturre of Missoula, MT, and Carrie (Carl) Stalnaker of Hamburg, MN; one brother, Joe (Dorothy) Sandberg of Erskine, MN; and one sister, Doris (Kenneth) Bratager of Fosston. Nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.She was preceded in death by a sister, Irene; brother, Orvin Sandberg and her parents.Pallbearers will be Scott Sandberg, Jim Espeseth, Scott Hanson, and Lee Hoaas.