Connie Jean Benson

Age 80 of Henderson, NV, formerly of Eagan. Survived by beloved husband John, daughter Vicki, son Chris (Peg) and grandsons Samuel, Matthew and Nathaniel, sister Carol and nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Alvin A. Jernander and Bernice Teresa Jernander.

Connie graduated from Robbinsdale High School and then Macalester College in St. Paul, where she met her husband John. They were married on June 2, 1962 in St. Paul, MN at the Macalester Presbyterian Church. For the first few years of their marriage she was a naval officer’s wife, living in California, Florida and Texas, before finally settling in Eagan, Minnesota.

She was devoted to her family, working as a seamstress at home so she could attend band concerts, sporting events, theatrical performances, choir concerts and scouting meetings. Eventually, she was hired by the Hadley Companies as one of the artists who carved and painted their decorative wooden decoys. For years after that she was usually found surrounded by tubes of paint and piles of basswood shavings. Customers would specifically request her work. Along with her artistic talents she will be remembered for her sense of humor, easy, contagious laugh, big, warm hugs, loving personality and cooking skills. An extra plate at dinner was never a challenge as it was mostly expected. When John retired from Northwest Airlines, they moved out west to Nevada and spent their time enjoying the sunshine, nice weather, visits from family and friends and casinos.

Private interment Acacia Park Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.