Harriet Jean Benson, 82, Minot, and formerly of New Rockford, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

Harriet was born Feb. 4, 1927, at Parshall, the daughter of Otto and Addie (Sell) Leske. She moved with her family to New Rockford and graduated from high school there in 1944. She continued her education at Trinity School of Nursing in Minot and graduated with a degree as a Registered Nurse in 1947.

Harriet was employed with Trinity Hospital as an RN in Minot for three years prior to her marriage to Kenneth Benson on June 25, 1950, in New Rockford. They made their home in Minot throughout the years, where Harriet was busy raising their four children, while Kenneth maintained his optometric practice throughout the years. He died Nov. 14, 2003.

Harriet was a longtime member of Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot, where she actively served on various committees and circle groups, as well as a Sunday school teacher. She also served as the Past President of the North Dakota Optometric Auxiliary. Her passion was her family and friends, and she especially enjoyed playing bridge.

Her loving family includes: children, Barbara (Dennis) Frykman, Atlanta, Bob (Dale) Benson, Houston, Chuck Benson, Rapid City, S.D., and Bruce Benson, Minot; grandchildren, Bethany Benson of Houston, Whitney Frykman, Minneapolis, and Lindsay Frykman, Chicago; brother, Gary (Cristina) Leske, Setauket, N.Y.; sisters, Donna (Duke) Bowman, Greensboro, N.C., and Marilyn (Doug) Palmer, Great Falls, Mont.; and several nieces and nephews.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Kenneth.

Funeral service: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at 1 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Monday, Nov. 30, from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers and plants, the family prefers memorials to Vincent United Methodist Church or the Jaclyn Klebe Fund at First Western Bank, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com)