Shirley Bengtson
Shirley Mae (Johnson) Bengtson, daughter of Perl C. and Violet (Holmes) Johnson, was born on May 31, 1935, on her parents farm near Essex. She passed away on Friday, June 30, 2006, at her home near Essex at the age of 71. Growing up, Shirley attended Center country school and graduated from Essex High School in 1953. Following high school, Shirley worked at the First National Bank in Essex. On October 14, 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to James Lee Bengtson at St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex. Following their marriage they made their home on the farm northwest of Essex where they've lived since. To this union were born three girls, Jana, Cindy and Kari. When the kids were young Shirley was a stay-at-home mom and farmwife. In later years she was a seasonal worker at the Essex Elevator. She last worked part-time helping Jim at Shenandoah Aviation for 16 years. Shirley was a member of the Essex Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School and was involved in the Presbyterian Church Women. She was also in the Merry Mixers. Shirley enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing and needlework. Her special spritz cookies will be missed. Shirley loved her family gre...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
y and always made sure they were provided for. This meant she would go without if needed to make sure they were taken care of. Preceding Shirley in death were her parents; brothers, Oren and Dallas Johnson; sister, Rubye Livingston; mother-in-law, Verona Bengtson; father-in-law, Samuel Bengtson; and sister-in-laws, Donna Bengtson and Rita Drake. She is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, James L. Bengtson of the home; daugters, Jana Schmidt and husband Jeff of Essex, IA, Cindy Johnson and special friend Bob Moore of Dublin, Ohio, Kari Jensen and husband Mike of Birnamwood, WI; six grandchildren, Jeremy and Jake Schmidt, David and Lauren Johnson and Andrew and Megan Jensen; three sisters, Arleene Burnison of Shenandoah, IA, Eloise Dinsmore and husband Harold of Farragut, IA, and JoAnn Bergman of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Gary Johnson and wife Peggy of Essex, IA; other relatives and many friends.
