Peter D Benson

SIOUX CITY -- Peter D Benson, 73, a lifelong resident of Sioux City passed away Sunday, January 1, 2012, at Sunrise Retirement Community following a brief illness. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home. Peter was born May 7, 1938, the son of Harold and Frances (Cremin) Benson. He grew up and attended Bryant Elementary and North Junior High Schools in Sioux City and graduated from Shattuck Military School in Faribault, Minn. He attended Brown University, served for two years in the U.S. Army, subsequently attended Morningside College and graduated from the University of Iowa. Owner of Three Rivers Benefit Corporation for 30-plus years, Peter was proud to work with a skilled, dedicated group of colleagues in serving clients in the Siouxland area. Peter's favorite times were spent with Barbara at their cottage on Crandalls Beach of Spirit Lake, Iowa, sitting on the porch looking at the lake. He enjoyed time with friends playing golf, handball, hunting pheasant, duck, goose and deer. He also enjoyed fishing in Canada, skiing in Colorado, floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, taking walks with his wife and enjoying his much loved golden retrievers. Peter loved to read and had a lifelong interest in history. Under his gruff exterior and dry wit, Peter cared deeply for his friends. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Barbara (whom he met on the Colorado River); two brothers, Bradley of Gibsons, Canada and Cremin and wife, Janet of Surprise, Ariz.; a sister, Barbara of Jacksonville, Fla.; a nephew, Scott of West Vancouver, B.C.; and niece, Kelly of Vancouver, B.C. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sioux City Public Library Foundation or Hospice of Siouxland.