Valerie (Val) Yvonne Benson of Avon, Montana passed away on July 19th, 2023. She was born on July 15th 1961 to her parents Bruce & Pauline Benson and joined her older sister Evelyn.
Val attended grade school in Avon where she was involved in many activities including track, 4-H, basketball, where she was the first female to play basketball on the boy’s team in Avon.
While in high school at Powell County in Deer Lodge Val continued to excel in track and basketball where she was selected as an All District and All State Athlete. She was also crowned the FFA queen with Kathy Tamcke.
After graduating from High School Val furthered her education by attending college and obtaining her business degree.
Val worked as a secretary for Greany Insurance and for Bonnerville Power, along with helping her mom and dad at the ranch.
In Val’s free time you could find her enjoying league bowling, and her love for softball, always being the first one to be picked for a team or joining in a tournament, not much slowed Val down when it came to a good game of softball. Not many knew her other talents but she was the expert when it came time to irrigate at the ranch and you would always find her come haying season on her yellow bull rake. She was a member of the Avon Catholic Church and very involved in the community. Val was always up for a good challenge to a hand at pinochle.
Val was a good daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many, and was always there to give a hand or a listening ear. Later in life Val, Bruce and Pauline enjoyed time caring for each other and taking care of the ranch.
Val is survived by her father Bruce, sister Evelyn, Aunt Eva, nieces Sarah, Beth (Noah), Leigh (Kevin) along with many family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother Pauline, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
Val will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The family would like to thank the Avon Ambulance QRU for their repeated care and support through the years. Memorials may be sent to the Avon Ambulance QRU or the Avon Cemetery Association.
Services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge at 11:00 am, burial will follow at the Avon Cemetery, reception will follow at the Avon Community Clubhouse.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 26, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
605 Clark Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Burial
Following The Funeral Service
Wednesday July 26, 2023
Avon Cemetery
Avon, Montana 59731
Reception
Following The Burial
Wednesday July 26, 2023
Avon Community Clubhouse
Main Street
Avon, Montana 59640
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 26, 2023
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
605 Clark Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Burial
Following The Funeral Service
Wednesday July 26, 2023
Avon Cemetery
Avon, Montana 59731
Reception
Following The Burial
Wednesday July 26, 2023
Avon Community Clubhouse
Main Street
Avon, Montana 59640
Heather McIntosh says
My heart just aches for the Benson family and all of Val’s friends and neighbors. Praying for her family and all of us who were blessed to call her a friend. We will always miss her.
Joan Best says
24 Jul – Oh dear God…I only just heard. I was blessed to know her and have her as a friend. She was an amazing woman and true friend. God rest her soul and may she be at Peace now.
Pat Bissonette says
24 July – Was so sorry to hear of Val’s passing. She was a great person and I have so many memories of playing softball with her in Deer Lodge. May she rest in peace and my condolences go out to her family.
Marta says
I met Val playing softball in Avon. She always made you feel good about your playing though, I was not very good. She was always kind and easy going. We would talk mostly about her family. After moving away from Avon I would see her occasionally and we would catch up. But that was too few and too long ago.
So sad, will miss Val.
Melinda Niemann says
Much love to the family. Val was such a beautiful person (inside and out). She was so loved by her dear friend, Mary Ann Knight. I occasionally had the privilege of taking walks with them & enjoying their camaraderie. We rejoice for the time they and our other loved ones will be reunited in Paradise, never to feel pain, sorrow, or death again, through the gift of our Lord Jesus. (Revelation 21:3 & 4) Many prayers and much love to the family. I personally will miss her beautiful smile, her wit, and her intense love for her friends and family.
Love, Melinda Mattice Persons Niemann and Family.
Sena Knight says
Breaks my heart. There are no words. Val was a wonderful girl growing up and always full of life. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Barbara Johnson says
I have no words for my heartfelt sorrow. I will always remember her forever smiling face & the twinkle in her eyes
Mark Logan says
Bruce, Ev, so shocked and so sorry to hear of her passing. Great lady. RIP Val
Terry Ward says
Val was a pleasure to work with at Garrison sub. Always helpful. So sorry to hear of her passing. May she rest in peace.