Mark Keith Benson

Mark Keith Benson, 76, a resident of Newton, UT, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at Logan Regional Hospital from complications related to Huntington’s disease. He was born March 6, 1932 at the family home in Newton, the son of Mark Royden and Ilda M. Benson. He attended Cache County schools in Newton, Smithfield and Richmond, graduating from North Cache High School in 1950. He married his beautiful bride, Annette Jenkins, on June 26, 1959 in the Logan LDS temple.
As a teacher, a farmer, a devoted husband and father, and in service to church and community, Mark was an example of hard work, faith and love. After completing his bachelor’s degree with a major in Agricultural Economics and a minor in History he obtained a teaching certificate and began teaching social studies in Malad, ID, in 1960. Subsequently he taught for 30 years in the Cache County School District, at Smithfield and North Cache Jr. High Schools and later at Cedar Ridge Middle School, earning his master’s degree in education along the way. He loved learning about and teaching history—especially US History—and other social studies subjects, and he loved interacting with his students and fellow teachers. He served for several years as an officer in the Cache Education Association, and, because of his love of photography, served as school photographer at both North Cache and Cedar Ridge. Throughout his career he was a beloved teacher, colleague and friend.
Agriculture was his second vocation and he loved it no less than teaching. He was devoted to the family farm and gave all he could, including especially a tremendous capacity for hard work, to help ensure its continued success. He enjoyed working with his brother, Glen, as they followed the example of their father in increasing and improving upon the original family homestead.
Throughout his life he maintained a strong conviction of the principles of gospel of Jesus Christ. And he was a true follower of them. Remarkably kind, unassuming and generous, he lived in such a way as to mirror the characteristics of love outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. He served an LDS mission to Australia from 1951 – 1953 and continued to serve the church in a variety of callings over many years, including service as Elder’s Quorum President, as a counselor in two bishoprics, as Young Men’s President, as a member of the stake high council and as ward financial clerk.
He loved the US Constitution and considered the responsibilities of citizenship to be important. He always tried to share that view in his teaching and other roles. For almost all of his adult life he was a counselor to Boy Scouts working on their Citizenship merit badges. He served his community as secretary- treasurer of the Newton Town Board for eight years. He also served for a time in the Navy Reserve and later in the Utah National Guard.
Above all Mark was a loving husband and father. He was devoted to Annette, as she was to him. Together they created a loving and peaceful home and a legacy that will continue to inspire their children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Annette Benson, of Newton; daughter, Andrea (and Varlo) Davenport of St. George; son, Bryan (and Kristina) Benson of St. George; brother, Glen (and Doris) Benson of Newton; sister, Ilda M. Berge of Newton; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, John Clark .
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, at noon, at the Newton 2nd Ward Chapel, 85 W. 200 S., Newton. Viewings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 E. 1800 N. and at the Church in Newton from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family on line at www.allenmortuaries.net