Johanna "Joh" Benson

Johanna “Joh” Benson, age 83, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Sunday, November 12, 2017 at Prairie Ridge of Galena in Galena, Illinois. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in DeKalb. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 17, 2017 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth, Illinois. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque and the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter in Joh’s memory.

Joh was born on July 30, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Fredrick M. and Mildred V. (Birch) Eisenzoph. She attended Northern Illinois University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Joh worked for the DeKalb Public School District for 20 years. Joh married the love of her life Robert “Bud” J. Benson on June 16, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois. They celebrated 47 years of marriage. Bud passed away May 3, 2003 in DeKalb.

Joh was a member of the First United Methodist Church in DeKalb. She was very active in the church and volunteered with the United Methodist Women’s Group, Church Confirmation Leader, and various activities in the church. She was also a member of the DeKalb Women’s Club; Mother’s Club and she was a past Girl Scout Leader. Joh enjoyed traveling, cooking, playing bridge, bowling, art and design. She was a great at planning different events that would benefit others. She always smiled and encouraged others to smile and laugh. Joh truly cherished the time she spent with friends and family. She was a great role model for her own children as well as others.

Joh will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Elizabeth (Franz) Strack of Elizabeth; a son, Steve (Laura) Benson of Lafayette, Tennessee; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren with one due in April 2018 and a sister, Gail (Robert) Bush of Clearwater, Florida. Joh was preceded in death by her husband, Bud and her parents Fredrick and Mildred.