We celebrate the vibrant, joyful and distinguished life of Dr. Sterling Oline “Bud” Benson.  He went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 9, 2025 at the age of 95.  Bud was born March 2, 1930 to Rev. John and Doris Benson in Boulder, Colorado.  He graduated from Luther Academy and Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska, where he met the love of his life, Louise Crantz.  They married on May 20, 1951 and were blessed with 69 years of marriage before Louise’s passing in 2020. To their union were born six children, Karin, Kristin, Carolee, Lori, Mark, and Beth.  Louise and Bud lived in Holdrege, Nebraska until 1975 when they moved to Lindsborg, Kansas for Bud’s professorship at Bethany College.

Bud was a hard worker his entire life, beginning at age 10 driving tractors as a farm hand while the adult population of America were busy fighting in WW2. He bought his own Ford Model TT pickup truck at the age of 12. He paid for his senior high boarding school through cafeteria work, which sparked his love of cooking. In addition, he was a star athlete in football and basketball during his six years at Luther Academy and College.

Bud proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a First Lieutenant. He was critically wounded. His life was saved by a MASH Hospital unit. He was subsequently awarded a purple heart.  After his service in the Army, he finished his degree at Bethany College, eventually completing Masters and Doctoral Degrees in Education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He was a partner in Industrial Pipelines, Inc. in Holdrege, Nebraska until 1968 when he began teaching elementary school In Holdrege. In 1975 he joined the faculty of Bethany College to head up the Elementary Education Department.  He followed in the footsteps of his beloved mentor, Gladys Peterson. At Bethany, he not only taught  students, he and Louise welcomed them into their home. He developed many wonderful relationships with his students, who continued to keep in touch after he retired from the college in 1995. The teachers education program he established at Bethany remained a standard for the State of Kansas. Upon retirement, Louise and Bud enjoyed 15 years of wintering in Costa Rica, enjoying the friendship of the Frank and Virginia Leal family. Frank and Bud were roommates at UNL and they maintained a loving friendship throughout the rest of their lives.  Bud and Louise also traveled extensively throughout the world. In 2010, they were among the honored guests of the South Korean government recognizing American veterans on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.

Bud was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church for 50 years.  He and Louise  enjoyed serving others. This service included mission trips to Mexico and building projects for the church. In later years he was the pot washer for the summer lunch program at the church which he did until he was 94 years old. His pot washing motto was “If it doesn’t shine, it’s not mine”. He volunteered in many different ways. He was a scoutmaster for The Boy Scouts of America, sponsoring canoe trips through the boundary waters and leading campers at Philmont Scout Ranch. He delivered Meals on Wheels with Louise, taught 5th grade Sunday school for years and served on church council.  He was a member of the Hyllingsfest committee, known for being the head Swedish meatball maker. He shared that talent with his children and grandchildren.

Bud sang in the Messiah Oratorio Society of Bethany College from the time he arrived in Lindsborg in 1975 until he was 85 years old, a forty-year commitment.   A man of many talents, notably, a skilled carpenter, building furniture pieces, home renovation projects and gifts for his children and grandchildren. Always a teacher, Bud led his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren by example and service to others including taking his grandchildren on his Agua Prieta, Mexico mission trips.

His community activities, included the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) Habitat for Humanity and many other activities. His daily coffee friends and bible study group at Messiah enriched his later life. His professional service included leading Bethany College through two NCATE evaluation reviews resulting in national accreditation, and presiding as President of KACTE from 1986 to 1988. Luther College, Bethany College and UNL Teachers College all awarded Bud the “Alumni Award of Merit for Distinguished Service”. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa professional fraternity and Pi Sigma Chi of Bethany College. Bud knew that the love from his children and grandchildren was his highest honor.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, his parents, stepmother, Ruth Benson, his brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Stanley and Marie Benson, his in-laws, Ernest and Anna Crantz, his brother-in-law and wife, John and Edith Vaughan, his sister-in-law and husband, June and Ray Sodergren, and nephew Timothy Vaughan.

He is survived by his children, Karin Walton (Brian), Lincoln, NE, Kristin Benson (Marty), Minneapolis, MN, Carolee Jones (Mark), Salina, KS, Lori Linder, Lincoln, NE, Mark Benson (Andy), Baltimore, MD, Beth Benson, Minneapolis, MN.  Grandchildren, Nathan O’Connell (Paula), Thornton, CO, Jennifer Treadway (Joseph), Issaquah, WA, Adam Jones (Natalie), Houston, TX, Erica Regan (Patrick), Lincoln, NE, Brooke Jones (Jared), Sioux Falls, SD, Mark Linder (Nina), Orlando, FL, Jacob Linder (Alexis), Lincoln, NE, Tristen Baier, Minneapolis, MN, Benjamin Frank, Philadelphia, PA..  Great grandchildren, Reese Treadway, Beck Hulstine, Myles Jones, Marit Hulstine, Cayleigh Jones, Sylvi Hulstine, Theodore Regan, Milo Linder, future Regan great grandson arriving in November, his beloved nephews and nieces and a multitude of close friends.

The Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday August 30, 2025 at 11:00 am at Messiah Lutheran Church, 402 N. First St., Lindsborg, Kansas.

Memorials may be designated to the Sterling O and Louise M Benson Education Scholarship Fund at Bethany College or Messiah Lutheran Church.

“Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21a.

Source: https://www.ksal.com/obituaries/dr-sterling-oline-bud-benson/