Rita Irene (Puhl) Benson, age 89, of Hart, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2015. She was born January 21, 1926, in Minneapolis, MN to Nicholas and Mary (Holtzinger) Puhl. She graduated from Our Lady of Sorrows High School in Ladysmith, WI and was a graduate of the St. Joseph School of Nursing in Marshfield, WI. On October 4, 1946, Rita married Henry Benson at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls, WI. Rita was employed as a registered nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, WI and also worked during her nursing career at the Elmhurst Hospital in Elmhurst, IL, as a private duty nurse in Lombard, IL, and as a custodian for District 88 High School in Illinois. She was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Villa Park, IL. Rita was a devoted mother, caregiver, patriot and community health worker. She was also a nurse in the United States Cadet Nurse Corp.

Rita is survived by three daughters, Annette (Richard) Janes II of Hart, Janet Benson of Villa Park, IL, Rosemary (Robert) Baines of Seattle, WA; one son, William Benson of Hart; four grandchildren, Elizabeth (Chris) Davis of Rockford, MI, Richard (Tanya) Janes III of Brutus, MI, Adam Baines of Seattle, WA, Christopher Baines of Seattle, WA; four great-grandchildren, Cierra Davis, Alayna Davis, Haden Janes and Lyla Janes. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Henry Benson; two sons, Charles Benson, and John Benson; sister, Rosella Ringger; two brothers, Willard Puhl, and Lucias Puhl.

The Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Benson will be offered Friday, May 29, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Hart with Father Thomas Bolster presiding. Interment will be in Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, IL. Visitation will be Friday one hour prior to the service at St. Gregory Catholic Church.

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