Marlys Benson Obituary

After a long and courageous battle with myelofibrosis, Marlys Mary Benson of Clark, SD, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 31st, 2024, with family by her side at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Clark at 11:00 A.M. The service will be immediately followed by a time of fellowship and a meal at the church. Burial will take place at Rosehill Cemetery in Clark. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. the evening prior, Friday, January 3, 2025, at Furness Funeral Home, with a nurse honor guard and rosary service beginning at 7:00 P.M. Reverend Richard Baumberger is officiating all services.
Marlys was born to Virgil and Marie Hamann on July 24th, 1954, and was the oldest of 7 children. She graduated from Clark High School in 1972. In 1973, while working as a secretary at the local veterinary clinic, she met and fell in love with a fellow employee, Robert (Bob) Benson. They were united in marriage on September 21st, 1974. From this union four children were born, Angie, Casey, Betsy and Megan. On September 11th, 2003, the final piece to her family was found. A son, Jay Ryan, whom she had placed for adoption to a loving family when she was young, had reached out to meet her. He had always been loved by her but was then able to truly become part of the family.
While raising her children, Marlys was active within her community being on the city council, school board, as well as many years serving as an EMT. She was able to finally accomplish a life-long dream in 1993 when she graduated from USD with her registered nursing degree. She spent 20 years working for Dr. Sarah Reiffenberger at the Brown Clinic in Watertown and the remainder of her career at Wookey's Assisted Living in Clark. She will always be known and remembered for her compassionate care of all the patients she served.
Marlys has been able to travel to many places over her lifetime, but home with Bob on the farm was her favorite place to be. She lived simply and loved her family fiercely. She had an unwavering catholic faith that could not be broken. She gave her all to everything she did and will forever be loved and missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her and knowing her.
She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years Bob Benson. Children: Jay (Jesica) Ryan, Angie (Tyler) Lamb, Casey (Nicole) Benson, Betsy (Tim) Buchmann and Megan (Nate) Merkel. Grandchildren: Jackson, Garrett, Katie and Henry Ryan, Haley Moeller, Saige and Landon Werdel, Gunner, Asher and Emma Benson, Tyler and Ethan Nix, Kaden, Genevieve and Addison Buchmann and Kolby, Taylor, Katelynn and Alayna Merkel. Great grand-daughters Aria Werdel and Isabella Garcia. She also leaves behind siblings, Karyl (John) Maas, Randy (Paula) Hamann, Charlene "Chubb" (Loren) Hamann, Gary (Dawn) Hamann and David (Peggy) Hamann.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Virgil and Marie Hamann, a sister, Lori Mehlberg, grandson, Grey Benson, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Gen and Max Benson, as well as two sisters-in-law, Carol and Connie Benson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to the Clark Community Aquatic Center or a charity of your choosing. The Clark pool had always been enjoyed by herself, her children and now her grandchildren.
Clark Community Aquatic Center
PO Box 1
Clark, SD 57225