Obituary: BENSON, MARK

Mark Amussen Benson1929 - 2012Mark Amussen Benson, age 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 29, 2012, at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a short illness. He spent the last hours of his life with all of his family around him.Mark was born on May 2, 1929, in Salt Lake City, to Ezra Taft and Flora Smith Amussen Benson, the second eldest of six children. His childhood years were spent in Boise, Idaho; Berkeley, California; and Bethesda, Maryland. Mark nearly died as a young man from asthma but was cared for and nurtured by his loving parents and family. When the Bensons relocated to Utah, Mark graduated from East High School and later earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Brigham Young University in 1952. He continued his studies at Stanford University where he earned a master's degree in education in 1953.While at BYU, Mark was active in a host of organizations, including Phi Eta Sigma, Blue Key, and served as Homecoming chairman. The highlight of Mark's time at BYU, however, was when he met, courted, and married Lela Wing of Raymond, Alberta, Canada. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 30, 1952. Mark and Lela made their home in Utah, Texas, and Indiana, and would become the parents of six children, 34 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Mark's greatest moments in life were the times he spent with his family on outings, at concerts, at sporting events, and at family reunions. All of them will always remember his example of Christ-like charity and his undeviating devotion to the restored Gospel. Professionally, Mark had aspirations of becoming an educational administrator and he pursued this path being named the first director of the BYU Adult Education Center in Ogden, Utah. However, as a gifted speaker, skilled marketer, and consummate salesman, Mark followed his innate talents and was hired in his first sales position with Rena-Ware Distributors. Mark was then recruited to be a regional and, subsequently, a national manager for the Saladmaster Corporation of Dallas, Texas. He would eventually become president of a Saladmaster division, Castlewick Coporation. His community service included membership in the Salt Lake City Rotary Club and President of the Pioneer Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. While his professional obligations always kept Mark busy, he never "refused a calling nor resisted release" within the LDS Church, a principle he always taught his family and missionaries. From an early age, Mark's parents instilled in him a love for the Holy Scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon and his life-long Church service reflected this abiding commitment. He influenced countless lives for good through his service, and his church callings which included: full-time missionary in the Eastern States Mission; Home Teacher; High Councilor; Mission President of the Indiana-Michigan Mission; Member of the YM/YW General Board; Regional Representative; Bishop; Stake President; Patriarch; and Sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. Mark was able to seal four of his grandchildren to their spouses in the last few weeks of his life, much to the joy of his family. The memories of these recent sealings will remain with Mark's family forever. Three of Mark's grandchildren are currently serving full-time LDS missions.Mark is survived by his faithful and loving wife of 60 years, Lela, and their six children: Stephen Reed of Gilbert, Arizona; Stephanie Young (David) of Sandy, Utah; Stacey Ann Reeder (Martin) of South Jordan, Utah; Margaret Ferry (Benjamin) of Corinne, Utah; Mary Richards (Ryan) of Pleasant Grove, Utah; and Michael Taft (Debi) of Cedar City, Utah. He is also survived by his five loyal and loving siblings: Reed (May), Barbara Walker (Robert, deceased), Beverly Parker (James), Bonnie Madsen (Lowell), and Beth Burton (David). The family wishes to extend their profound gratitude to Mark's doctors and caregivers, especially to the dedicated staff of Care Source. They also give particular thanks to Mark and Lela's faithful home teacher of over 30 years, Dr. Merrill Wilson, to the members of the Ensign 1st Ward, and to their dear friends and faithful neighbors, Vernon and Loretta Rice. A viewing will be held at the Larkin Mortuary (260 East South Temple) on Friday, August 3rd, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the Ensign Stake Center (135 "A" Street) on August 4th (the birthday of Mark Benson's father, President Ezra Taft Benson) at 11 a.m. A viewing will also be held prior to the services from 9 to 10:30 a.m at the Ensign Stake Center. Interment services will be held in Whitney, Idaho.