J Lynn Benson

J Lynn Benson, 83, of Rigby, died of cancer at his home, Sunday, November 11, 2007. He was born to Alva Henry and Emma Lorena England Benson, September 4, 1924, at Moreland, Idaho. Lynn was raised and attended schools in Moreland, graduating from Moreland High School. He continued his education at Ricks College, received his Bachelors Degree at Brigham Young University, and his Master of Fine Arts Degree at the University of Utah. During World War II he spent three years in the US Navy, stationed in the Pacific Theater. On June 20, 1946 he married Josie Fern Scoresby in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He taught school at, Iona, Idaho Falls, Snake River and B.Y. High School at Provo, Utah and was Principal at Moreland Elementary for one year. He was also a Professor at Westminster College in SLC. He taught speech and drama at Ricks College for twenty-five years. He co-founded the Playmill Theatre in West Yellowstone, Montana and operated it for twenty-five years. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including Counselor in the Idaho Falls Temple Presidency. With his wife he served missions to Nauvoo, Illinois; Independence, Missouri; and the Rigby Idaho East Stake Family History Center. Lynn Benson was a hero to many. He is survived by his wife, Fern of Rigby, four daughters: Cynthia (Byron) Lovell of Orangevale, CA; Lynda (Don) Sparrow of Bullhead City, AZ; Paula (Ferron) Sonderegger, of Rexburg; Jolene (Kay) Jenkins of Chubbuck; three sons: Lloyd (Suzanne) Benson of Milo; Bruce (Renee) Benson of Sugar City; Gary (Chimene) Benson of Rexburg; a brother Rex (Lois) Benson of Ogden, UT; thirty-five grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and five sisters. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Rigby East Stake Center, (4021 E. 300 N.) with Bishop Brett Olaveson officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, both at the Church. Burial will be in the Moreland Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.