Lyla Jeanette Benson

Lyla Jeanette (Carlson) Benson, 81, died July 3 at Martha and Mary in Poulsbo, surrounded by her family.

She was born April 5, 1925, on a farm in North Dakota near the town of Dahlen, the fourth child of nine to Bessie and Christian Carlson.

She graduated from Mayville Teacher’s College in 1942 and taught in a one-room schoolhouse for two years.

She then moved to Bremerton, Wash., and worked at Benson’s Variety Store, where she met and married the store owner’s son, Milton Benson, who was serving in the Merchant Marines.

Milt and Lyla settled in the Mount Baker district in Seattle where they raised five children. Lyla was active at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Seattle and also worked at Cleo’s Apparel.

They moved to Bainbridge in 1989, living next door to two of their daughters, Linda and Patty. Lyla was active at Bethany Lutheran and also volunteered at Wilkes Elementery School.

In 1991, Lyla suffered a stroke and her husband cared for her at home until she was moved to a nursing home in 2001.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Milton Benson; daughters Janice (David) Johanson of Maryland, Linda (Jeffrey) Sievertson of Kingston and Patricia (Darrell) Mihara of Kingston; sons Ray Benson (Su Ross) of Covington, Wash., and Daniel (Sally) Benson of Berkeley, Calif.; grandchildren Jennifer Johanson, Scott Johanson, Courtney Sievertson, Christian Sievertson, Megan Mihara, Mallory Mihara, Tyler Benson, Elliot Benson, Lina Benson and Lara Benson; and great-granddaughter Selby Johanson-Tubbs.

Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. July 8 at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island.