Donavon "Don" Eldon Benson

Donavon "Don" E. Benson, 79, of Newman Grove, NE died on April 30, 2023, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, NE.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove, NE with Deacon Claire Meyer officiating. Interment will be at Shell Creek Cemetery, Newman Grove, NE. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, Newman Grove Fire & Rescue, or the Newman Grove Community Foundation.

Levander Funeral Home of Newman Grove, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Donavon "Don" Eldon Benson, son of Everett and Isabel (Thompson) Benson, was born on June 5, 1943 in Bradish, NE. He attended school and graduated from Newman Grove Public Schools in 1961. Donavon went on to continue his education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he earned a Bachelor of Science and later a Master of Science in Ag Sciences.

Donavon was united in marriage to Beverly Berg at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilden, NE on July 26, 1964. When Don and Bev were first married, they lived in Lincoln, NE until Don graduated from UNL with his Bachelor's degree in 1965. After graduating, they moved to Syracuse, NE where Don taught vocational agriculture at the high school for four years. In 1967, Don and Bev had their first child, Pamela, and welcomed their second child, Dean, in 1969. That same year the family moved to their farm seven miles northwest of Newman Grove. Their third child, Barrry, was born in 1974, and they completed their family with their fourth child, Robin, in 1979.

In addition to helping raise his family, Donavon continued pursuing his love of agriculture by making it his life's work. Don milked cows, operated a farrow to finish swine and cow-calf pair operation, as well as producing corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. Don was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove where he served as a council member, lector, and Sunday School teacher. Don was also active in various community activities. Most importantly, Don enjoyed spending time with all of his family and had a deep passion for helping others.

Donavon is survived by his wife Beverly Benson of Newman Grove, NE; son-in-law: Dan Mowinkel of Scribner, NE and family: Danielle (Coby) Amen and their children: Skylar and Ryker; Derek (Taylor) Mowinkel and their children: Kane and Kooper; son: Dean (Mary Jo) Benson of O'Neill, NE and family: Brooke and Blake Benson; son: Barry (Jennifer) Benson of Fremont, NE and family: Brady, Emma, and Grace; daughter: Robin (Trenton) Alexander of Verdon, NE and family: Tegan, Kenley, and Ashlyn Alexander; brothers-in-law: Dick Fowlkes; Bob (Nancy) Berg; and sister-in-law: Darla Berg.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Pamela Mowinkel; parents Everett and Isabel; sister: Diann Fowlkes; sister-in-law: Bonnie Zinsmaster; and brother-in-law: K. Rodney Berg.