Amy L. Benson

Amy L. Benson age 88 of Eau Claire, died in peace, surrounded by her family, on December 31, 2025.

Amy was a loving wife, mother, sister, cousin, aunt, friend and neighbor.  She always made people feel welcome and was skilled at asking insightful questions to get to know people better.  She was a good conversationalist, a great listener and an expert communicator.  She saw the world as a place to live according to God’s will, uplifting all human beings showing them respect, integrity, compassion and honesty.  She changed the world by modeling patience, demonstrating perseverance, and having a sense of humor.  She was encouraging to all who knew her.  She was a warm and caring person, who put the needs of others before her own.  She was a person who enjoyed reading, exploring nature, animals, gardening, and just being outside (except for below zero temps).

She was born on February 7, 1937, to Holger and Florence (Swanson) Jensen. She was the fifth child of a family of eight, who grew up on a farm just north of Ames, Iowa.  Amy graduated from Gilbert High School and enjoyed playing basketball from 7th to 12th grade.  The team enjoyed competing at state in 1953 and in 1955 with Amy as the team captain! She was also involved in 4-H Clubs and participated in school plays.

In 1959 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Iowa State College (the last class to graduate before it became ISU – Iowa State University).  She moved to Iowa City, Iowa after graduation and taught at the Hospital School for Severely Handicapped Children from 1959-1962.  During this time, she met her husband Bill through social church-based events.

She married Bill Benson on August 13, 1961, in Iowa City, Iowa at the little white chapel on the campus.  They moved a few times for work or continuing education, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Indiana before moving to Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1968. They were married for 57 years until Bill’s death in 2018.

From 1969 to 1987, (when Amy wasn’t busy being a stay-at-home mom), she taught at the Children’s Center on the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire campus as well as the Children’s House – Montessori Pre-School.  From 1988 until 1998, she served on staff at the Chippewa Valley Museum as the Volunteer Coordinator, until her retirement in 1998.

Traveling was an extensive part of Amy’s life, especially after retirement.  She and her husband visited over 30 different countries during their life together.  Amy’s most memorable adventures with Bill included a self-planned 3-month tour of Europe in 1962.  They arrived back home with only 25 cents in their pocket…that’s it!  Other highlights included visiting Iceland, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, as well as traveling with a church group on a Holy Land tour.

Interacting with people of all ages was something that Amy enjoyed doing. Her special skills were working with young children.  Amy had a passion for building community.  She volunteered in many capacities.  Some included mentoring Hmong families, reading stories at various schools to children, serving on the Feed My People Food Bank board and delivering Meals-on-Wheels.  She was also an active member of Grace Lutheran Church over the years.  She served in many different roles.  Amy taught Sunday School, served on the church council, the Grace Foundation board, and helped to organize various hunger workshops. She also attended lay ministry school.  As a lay minister, she visited home-bound members of the congregation and provided them with communion and company.  Amy always saw the beauty in things, was full of joy, was positive and grateful.   Her “Amy-ness” made the world a brighter place!   She will be missed!

Survivors include her son Drew Benson and wife Tiffany (Southard) of Ft. Worth TX., their three sons – Daniel, Matthew and Nathan.  Daughter Johanna and husband Robert Peterson (of Eau Claire, WI.) and their son Evan.  Survivors also include her sister Anna Wicks and brother Fred Jensen, along with 25 nieces and nephews, over 40 great-nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William “Bill” Benson, her son Derek Peter, and her brothers Jim, Rich, Dan, Paul, and Bob.

We want to thank all the caregivers that have served Amy during her journey from Willowbrook to Azura, with a special thanks to the entire Dimensions Living team and to all the caregivers from St. Croix Hospice, as well as to Mayo Clinic.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorial gifts be given in Amy’s memory to a charity of your choice.  (Her ideas included - Feed My People Food Bank, Sojourner House, Beacon House, Community Table, Chippewa Valley Museum, Day Resource Center for those in need: https://www.onebetterway.org and to Grace Lutheran Church)

Visitation will take place from 4-7 pm on Friday February 6, 2026 in the Chapel at Grace Lutheran Church  202 W. Grand Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703. A memorial service will take place the next day at the church on Saturday February 7, 2026 at 1:30 pm with Pastor Philip Ruge-Jones officiating.  Private family committal service will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Clarie.  

Friends and family may offer condolences at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.