Bruce Lynn Benson

   Bruce Lynn Benson, age 75, of Athol, Idaho, went to Jesus on December 4, 2025, shortly after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

   Bruce was born on June 27, 1950, in Eureka, California, to Harry and Dorothea Benson. After his parents divorced, he lived at various times with his mom or his dad. He graduated from Eureka High School in June 1969. He was drafted into the US Army on January 20, 1970. After surviving meningitis at Fort Ord, California, he was sent to Fort Myer, Virginia where, after being screened and receiving Top Secret White House clearance, he served in the Old Guard unit. Returning to Eureka in 1971, he served with the US Army Reserves until he was Honorably Discharged on January 19, 1976.

   Bruce married Sheryll Grainger in 1979, when he moved from Newport, Oregon, to the Santa Clara area of Eugene, Oregon. Daughter Myra was seven and son Jonathan was five when Bruce became a great dad for them.

   Bruce went to college in California to learn automotive mechanics, but after working as an auto mechanic, he decided to try auto body repairs and painting, which he liked much better. He continued in this profession for most of his life, working at a shop he owned and operated (Fender Bender Body Shop), then at Joe Romania Chevrolet, and lastly at Beaver Coach, repairing and repainting the huge motor coaches. In between he did retrain for heavy equipment operator and got his CDL, but eventually returned to body and paint.

   In 1999, Bruce and Sheryll moved to an unimproved acreage in La Pine, Oregon, where together they built their “dream home.” Bruce used the old backhoe given to them by Sheryll’s dad to do the push out for the house and dig and install the sand filter septic system. Together they laid the tile and painted the whole interior of the house. Over the years they did many improvements to the property to include land clearing, installing fencing, and building a concrete block root cellar and several animal pens.

   In November 2019, Bruce and Sheryll moved to Athol, Idaho. This property was already developed with the home and a large shop for all Bruce’s tools and toys.

   Bruce’s favorite things to do were camping, fishing, and hunting with family and friends. For many years he and Sheryll, Myra, and Jonathan, went to Miller Lake in Central Oregon every summer; one summer he even went two different times! He loved to be there with sister Rachele and her husband and Bruce’s best friend, Dean Judkins, and nephews Matt and Jared.

   Over the years, Bruce and Sheryll attended several churches where he would sometimes volunteer. One job he seemed to particularly enjoy was being the “Warden,” patrolling the parking lot during the high school student Wednesday night services at OneEighty at Westside Church in Bend, Oregon.

   Bruce enjoyed telling stories of funny or interesting events from his life. He like to joke and make wise cracks. He was being funny and making ‘smart’ remarks to the staff and doctors in the hospital up to his last days there.

   Bruce is survived by wife, Sheryll Benson, daughter Myra Klote, son Jonathan Klote, daughter Jennifer Crosswhite; grandchildren Tona Klote, Reahana Klote, Azariah Klote, Logan Crosswhite; sister Marsha Casassa, nephews and great-grandchildren.

   Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Rachele Judkins and Claudia Dehaven, and brother-in-law, Dean Judkins.

   A memorial service will be held on January 10, 2025, 10:00 am at Real Life North Church in Athol, Idaho. Please no flowers, etc. The number one request would be that each person he loved and/or knew, cared about, would take the step needed to be with him again someday in Heaven. (Acts 16:31)

   The family owes immense gratitude to Dr. Strait of NW Specialty Hospital, and to the staffand doctors of Kootenai Health 2-ICU, 3-South, and 3-East, and to the nurses and staff of Hospice of North Idaho for their compassionate care of our beloved “Bubba.” Also, innumerable thanks go to extended family, our church families, and many friends who continue to cover us with prayer, concern, and caring, as well as physical needs.