Allen "Al" Lloyd Benson ,born October 19, 1933 in Aberdeen, SD, and passed away October 18, 2013 at the age of 79, in Laguna Woods, CA. He had been fighting a long battle with Emphysema. He is survived by his wife, Delma Darlene Benson (Nee Hofman) of Manhattan, Kansas. Also by his two children, Sheryl Harber (Husband Warren) of Pleasanton, and Scott Benson ( WifeTess) of Garden Grove, CA. Allen was blessed with seven wonderful grandchildren ; Christopher, Cameron, Connor, Olivia, James, Andrew, and John. He is also survived by a sibling, his sister Myrna Rolph (Husband Paul) of Benson, MN. , Along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Cecil Monroe Benson and Hazel Thelma Benson Cowan (Nee Worlie).

Allen was born and raised on a farm west of Verdon, SD, and graduated from Groton High school in Groton, South Dakota in about 1950. He loved music, and played saxophone and clarinet in several dance bands around the Groton area. He was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. army in 1954 due to a chronic back problem.

He married his wife Delma in 1955, and they recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. After settling in a small home in Hawthorne, CA in 1965, they spent over 30 years there, raising their kids and having fun with friends, relatives, and the good neighbors they had there. Allen retired in 1996 after working many years as a Draftsman/ Mechanical engineer and later promoted to sales engineer for Electro Rack Products Company in Anaheim, Ca.

Anybody who knew Allen, knew how special he was. He touched the lives of almost everyone he met. He had that gift of "Gab", and Down To- Earth, Midwestern friendliness that put everyone at ease. Several nieces and nephews often called him "Uncle Al, The Kiddies Pal". He had a great sense of humor, and loved to hear, as well as tell a good joke. He could often be found helping his friends and neighbors to solve their problems with their cars, appliances, woodworking projects, or whatever he could help them with. It seems wherever he went, he earned the reputation of neighborhood "Fix-It" Man.

Allen realized his dream of owning a lake house when, In 1996 he and Delma bought the "Red House" on Fishhook Lake in Park Rapids, MN. There, He spent many wonderful hours fishing for Walleyes, Northerns, and Sunfish on Fishhook Lake. He enjoyed the company of the wonderful neighbors in that area, and enjoyed sitting on the upper deck of the house to watch the sunset and the various boats going by. Those years spent on the river among the tall pine trees were probably the happiest years of Allen's life. Al and Del loved having friends and relatives stay with them there for a few days or a few weeks, to share their north woods home. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, the lake house had to be sold, and they moved to Laguna Woods (CA.) Retirement Community Permanently in 2008.

A private Memorial Service is postponed indefinitely while Allen's wife Delma recovers from an illness. Allen's remains will be buried in early November at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. The cemetery is open to the public, and all visitors are welcome during daylight hours, seven days a week. Allen would have turned 80 years old the day after his death. And a surprise party had been planned for his special day. Dad would be glad to know that, although we didn't get to celebrate his 80th birthday with him, we still celebrated his life that day.

A life well lived- A man well loved

He will be greatly missed.

In Lieu of flowers, Please make a donation to your favorite charity.