Delma "Dell" (Hofman) Benson was born March 21, 1934 in Manhattan, KS. and passed away December 16, 2013 in Santa Ana, CA. She was 79 years old. The cause was complications due to congestive heart failure. She is survived by a daughter, Sheryl Harber (husband Warren), of Pleasanton, CA., and a son, Scott Benson (wife Tess), of Garden, CA. Delma was blessed with seven wonderful grandchildren: Christopher, Cameron, Connor, Olivia, James, Andrew, and John. She is also survived by her sister Ronda, and her brothers: Marvin, Arland, and Darrel, along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Allen, who passed away just last October 18th, 2013, and by her parents, Ernest Harlan Hofman, and Etta Vivian (Clary) Hofman, of Manhattan, KS.

Delma grew up on the family farm in rural Manhattan, KS. She graduated from St George High School in St George, KS. She liked music, and played accordion, piano and some clarinet in high school. After attending Brown Mackie Business College in Salina, KS, and working for a short time in San Antonio, TX, she met her future husband, Allen Benson, on a blind date which was arranged by their mutual friends. They were married in Conde, SD on Oct.2, 1955. They recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. After settling into a small home in Hawthorne, CA. in the 1960s, they spent over 30 years there, raising their two kids and having fun with friends, neighbors and relatives. She was a loyal member of Ocean gate Southern Baptist Church in Hawthorne, which was located just a block from their home.

Delma worked part time for several different companies for extra income during the 1970s and 1980s, including Montgomery Wards, Craig Corporation, and Bristol Farms, in mainly the positions of stock clerk or sales associate. In 1996, her husband, Allen, retired from his job as sales engineer at Electrorack Products Company in Anaheim, CA., and they realized their dream of owning a lake house when they bought the "red house" in Park Rapids, MN. There, they spent many wonderful spring and summers fishing on the lake, watching the sunsets, and the boats going by and listening to the loons call from right outside their door. They loved having friends and relatives stay with them there for a few days, or a few weeks. And they enjoyed the company of the wonderful neighbors they had here. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, the lake house had to be sold, and they moved to Laguna Woods, CA. retirement community permanently in 2008.

Delma fought a nearly life-long battle with heart problems, caused by a bout with rheumatic fever when she was a child. She survived three open-heart surgeries and struggled with bouts of atrial fibrillation, which resulted in her needing a pacemaker later in life. All through these struggles, she kept up a good spirit, strengthened by her deep faith in Christ. Her family thanks god for allowing her to be with us for nearly 80 years. It's clear that God kept her here for a good reason, for her job here on earth wasn't finished yet. He allowed her to leave when he was sure that her family was strong enough to handle her passing.

A private memorial service for both Allen and Delma is planned for January 11, 2014 at Grace Hills Church in Laguna Woods, CA at 2:00pm. The church is located at 24521 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, and CA. 92637. (ph# 949-837-2435).

Delma's remains will be buried alongside her late husband, Allen, at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. This veteran's cemetery is open to the public, and all visitors are welcome during daylight hours, seven days a week.

We will miss our mom greatly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Grace Hills Church (see the above address). They are currently accepting donations towards the hurricane disaster relief in the Philippines.