Jane Ann Benson

Jane Ann (Petersen) Benson, age 92, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026 at Aperion Care in Elgin, IL. Jane was born March 31, 1934 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin to Rudolph and Augusta Petersen who alternated residences in Hazelhurst, WI and St. Charles, Illinois. Despite the dual residences necessitating Jane to attend schools in Minocqua, WI and St. Charles, Jane excelled academically in both locales.

Jane was offered a full college scholarship to attend The University of Chicago which, in the 1950s, was a rare opportunity for a young woman but she wanted to stay closer to home and, by that time, she met her future husband and life took an unexpected turn for a few years.

Jane took a job as dental assistant and bookkeeper in the dental practice of Dr. Edmond L. Benson and both of them grew attracted to each other, so much so that when Jane worked as a counselor in a summer youth camp in Colorado, “Doc” followed her and proposed marriage. Jane and Doc were married in 1956 and moved to a remodeled country school house in Burlington which offered an ideal spot to raise sheep and Doc’s four show horses as a hobby. They had two sons, Christopher W. and Jeffrey L. Benson who grew up enjoying the pastoral life. Doc passed away in 1988 and Jane kept residence at the old schoolhouse where son, Jeff, also lived and cared for her in her later years until her health prohibited it.

Jane’s college path was put on hold for a while to raise Chris and Jeff. When the boys were old enough, Jane earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Education in the early 1970s at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Beforeobtaining her Bachelor’s, she student taught in a local high school and discovered she was not cut out for teaching! That is when she made social work her life’s career. She never regretted the decision. She earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from George Williams University in Elmhurst, IL in 1982. As a Discharge Social Worker at Sherman Hospital, in Elgin, Jane knew she chose the right career and remained in that role for 20 years. She then spent the next 25 years in a similar role at Sherman Hospital in Elgin where she made many lifelong friends. She referred to those years as the best of her life.

Jane was proud of her Norwegian heritage and enjoyed everything Norwegian, especially Rosemaling art and scrumptious pastries. She traveled to Norway several times to visit extended family and delighted in having a good ”snakke” which means “chat or talk.” Talking was Jane’s forte’ and she is remembered for her quick wit, contagious laugh and spirited nature. Kayaking was her favorite sport and she paddled until she was 88 years old! She was most fond of kayaking on the Rock River in IL, Lake Katherine in Hazelhurst, WI and Clam Lake in Door County, WI. She enjoyed gardening, reading, doting over her “Doodle” dogs, Mutt Mutt, Rusty and Molly and…she was a Democrat through and through!

Jane is survived by her son, Jeffrey L. Benson; granddaughter, Alexandria Mrkvicka DeSonia-Benson (Thomas); brother, Dr. Thomas R. Petersen (Sharon); and cousins, Bonnie (Hannah) Dana and Dennis A. Paquette. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Edmond L. Benson and son, Christopher W. Benson.

Jane’s family extends their gratitude to the staff at Aperion Care in Elgin, IL for their diligent care of Jane during her final months. As per Jane’s wishes, there will not be a funeral and her cremains, along with Doc’s, will be interred in Hazelhurst, WI. Condolences may be directed to her son, Jeff Benson, 8N906 Burlington Rd., Hampshire, IL, 60140.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options in Schiller Park, Illinois.