Tom Benson, a devoted outdoorsman, family man, and legendary storyteller, passed away peacefully on December 4th at the age of 79. He was born on November 1, 1946, in Elkader, Iowa, the son of Florence (Ogle) and Leo Benson.
Tom graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1965. Shortly after graduation, he spent two years in the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country as a generator operator in Germany for 18 months.
Following his honorable discharge, he married Brenda Behrend on January 9, 1971.
For over 50 years, Tom was a dedicated recreational vehicle mechanic, spending the majority of those years working at Prairie Camper Sales in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He was known for his expertise and willingness to help anyone keep their home-on-wheels running smoothly.
Tom’s true passion, other than his family, was the outdoors. He was a quintessential Iowa sportsman with a profound love for fishing. It was his goal to fish every lake in Iowa, and he nearly accomplished it, always in search of the elusive 10-inch bluegill. He often cast a line in the waters of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota alongside his children, Tommy and Sherry, brother Mark, and lifelong friends and fishing buddies, Jeff Walch and Terry Farmer.
His love for nature extended beyond fishing; he treasured camping on the sandbar, the famous Benson Fish Fries, hunting for ginseng and mushrooms, trapping, and hiking. These trips were often the backdrop for his great storytelling, quick wit, and extremely positive personality. He faced the challenges of the last couple of years with enduring optimism, staying happy and positive right up until the end.
Tom is survived by his children: Tom Jr. (Julia) Benson of Waukon, IA, Sherry (Gary) Oswald of Prairie du Chien, WI; his grandchildren: Kiersten Benson, Angela Lansing and Kelby Oswald; his brother: Mark (Mona) Benson of Elkader, IA; as well as his special nephews and niece Corey Benson, Angie (Benson) Hill, & Nick Benson, and his former wife: Brenda Benson.. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo Benson and Florence Greear, and sister Diane Benson.
A visitation will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm on January 9, 2026 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home, McGregor, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 11 am – 2 pm at the Barn Restaurant in Prairie du Chien, WI.
Inurnment will take place at a later date at The Highland Lutheran Church in Elkader, Iowa.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor, Iowa is assisting the family with services.