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Vance Delbert Benson, age 89 of Keldron, SD passed away peacefully October 13, 2022. The funeral will be October 24, 2022, 2 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.

Vance was born on January 22, 1933, in Thunderhawk, SD to Fern and Eugene Benson. He grew up on the family farm located in North Dakota north of Keldron. He attended Knoke Country School and graduated from Lemmon High in 1950. Vance went to college, first at South Dakota State University and then completed his education at Colorado State University in 1955 with a degree in Animal Husbandry.

Vance married Jacquilyn Woods of Clayton, NM in 1954. After graduating they made their home in the Colorado mountains before moving to North Dakota. A farm became available close to his childhood home and Vance began his own farming and ranching operation. Three children were born of this union.

Through the years Vance enjoyed an active life. Time in Colorado gave him the opportunity to snow ski which is an activity the whole family still enjoys. Vance enjoyed travelling with wintertime trips to ski areas and summertime trips to National Parks, Hawaii, and a cruise to Alaska.

Vance enjoyed a good rodeo, an evening of storytelling or a weekend night at the Steak House. He was an avid reader with an ample collection of western novels and books on history and local lore. He loved shooting the breeze with friends and neighbors. Roundups and brandings were big events for him especially if the food was good.

Cattle and horses were a lifelong passion and Vance lived and breathed being a ranch hand and a good steward to the land. He participated in the community by serving on the ASCS board and belonging to the Cedar River Grazing Association and the American Indian Cattleman's Association. He was a partner in the Lemmon Livestock Market in the early 'seventies.

Vance is survived by son Jeff (Wanda) Benson of Bismarck, ND, daughter Michelle (Randy) Bacon of Aberdeen, SD, son Scot (Amy) Benson of Newcastle, WY, Mona Cole, a life companion, his brother Quentin (JoAnn) Benson of Lemmon, sister-in-law Helen Benson of Morristown, stepdaughters Jodie Behrmann and Jill Graves, 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and Mona's extended family of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Vance was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Fern Benson and two brothers, Lougene Benson, and Don Benson.