John Harold Benson

July 18, 1932 - January 17, 2021

John “Harold" Benson, age 88, of Albia, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at the Monroe Care Center in Albia, IA. Harold was born on July 18, 1932, to Albert and Mabel (Johnson) Benson in Monroe County. He grew up in Albia, IA and graduated from Albia Community High School in 1951. On October 20, 1954, he was united in marriage to Agnes Cottrell in Centerville, IA. Harold and Agnes shared 47 years of marriage prior to Agnes' passing in 2001. Harold married Mardyll Albertson in 2002. Harold grew up on his family's farm and continued to farm throughout his life. He spent 33 dedicated years driving a school bus for the Albia Community School District. In his free time, Harold enjoyed square dancing, card playing, riding his motorcycle, retirement traveling, spending winters in Texas and occasionally being mischievous. Harold received many trophies throughout the years from the Iowa Horseshoe Pitching Association and local tournaments. He was a County Trustee and sat on the Monroe County Farm Bureau Board where he and Mardyll were inducted into the Farm Bureau Ag Hall of Fame. Harold also served as President of the Albia Lad's and Lassie's Square Dance Club. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Harold will be remembered as a great husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He is survived by his wife, Mardyll Benson; 3 children, Catherine Benson, Don (Cara) Benson and Doug (Kathy) Benson; a stepdaughter, Marla Carr; a stepson, Gary Albertson; 8 grandchildren, Andrew (Angela) Coe, Josh (Ashley) Littlejohn, Heidi (Josh) Ragen, Thomas (Tonia) Benson, Lucille (Caleb) Brewer, Emmalee (Clayton) Casady, Anna (Jason See) Kerber, Rachel Benson, Bryan Carr and Eric (Michelle) Carr; his great-grandchildren Izaiah Littlejohn, Dakota Fontinel, Ethan, Riley & Launa Ragen, Henry Benson, Jett & Luke Casady and Nile & Hudson Carr. Harold is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes; his parents, Albert and Mabel; a sister, Grace Benson; three brothers, Paul, Wayne and Fred Benson; brothers-in-law, Don Marshall and Gene Cottrell; sisters-in-law, Viola and Dorothy Benson; and a stepson-in-law, Jerry Carr. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Harold's family present from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A private family funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Rev. Karen Ullestad and Pastor Roger Henry co-officiating. Burial will follow services at Oak View Cemetery in Albia. Due to the most recent proclamation and enhanced public health measures for the state of Iowa, masks will be mandatory for those in attendance over the age of 2. The service will be livestreamed on the Tharp Funeral Home Facebook page.