Bruce B. Benson, age 92 of Avon

Bruce Bartlett Benson of Avon, MT passed away on September 11^th,2023. Bruce was born on April 14^th, 1931 in Deer Lodge, MT to his parents John and Esther and was the fourth child joining siblings; Betty, Cliff, Fred and later Eva.

Bruce attended grade school in Avon and later graduated from Powell County High School in 1949. After graduation, Bruce continued to work on the family’s dairy ranch up until he was drafted to serve his country. He served from September 20^th, 1951- June 20^th, 1953 with 13 of those months being served in Korea as Headquarters Commanding Officer 58^th, Field Artillery Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Division. After Bruce returned home from Korea, he and his brother Fred, went into partnership and became third generation owners of the Benson Ranch with their father’s dairy business, which they later sold the herd in 1963 and transitioned into stock cattle, which is still in operation today and has been very successful.

On September 20^th, 1958, Bruce and Pauline (Bignell) were married in Helmville, MT. They were blessed with two daughters, Evelyn and Valerie. Bruce and Pauline were married for 63 years before her passing on September 29^th, 2021.

In July of 2017, the Benson Ranch was inducted into the Montana Draft Teamster Hall of Fame. Draft horses were used on the Benson Ranch for more than a century and was one of the last ranches that utilized the teams up until the mid 1990s. It was a spectacle to watch as it took great skill that was mastered and that had been passed down from generations. The draft horse teams would pull mowers, rake the hay with dump rakes and bunch and move the hay to the stack with buckrakes. The team would then be pulled off from the beaverslide hoisting the baskets with loose hay that would be dumped onto the stack.

Bruce was an active member is his community, serving on the school board for Avon Grade School and Powell County High School. Bruce also spearheaded the Avon Stockyard Association where he was elected president in 1982 serving up until his passing. Bruce and Pauline were never a stranger to anyone, they were always welcoming and always had a pot of coffee ready to go along with a conversation.

Bruce is preceded in death by his wife Pauline, daughter Valerie, brothers Cliff and Fred and sister Betty. He is survived by his sister Eva, daughter Evelyn, granddaughters Sarah, Beth (Noah), Leigh (Kevin) and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Viewing will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with funeral services to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 18^th, 2023 at the Avon Community Church followed by a graveside burial at the Avon Cemetery with Military Honors. A reception will follow at the Avon Community Clubhouse. Memorials can be made to the Avon Cemetery.

Bruce’s family would also like to give a special thanks to Southwest Montana Veteran’s Home in Butte, MT and Cooney Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Helena, MT for their care for Bruce.

Service Schedule

Viewing

10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Monday September 18, 2023

Avon Community Church

301 Main Street E.

Avon, Montana 59713

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Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Monday September 18, 2023

Avon Community Church

301 Main Street E.

Avon, Montana 59713

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Burial with Military Honors

Following the Funeral Service

Monday September 18, 2023

Avon Cemetery

Avon, Montana 59713

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Reception

Monday September 18, 2023

Avon Club House

Avon, Montana 59713

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