Viola Bella (Staples) Benson, 95

Viola Bella (Staples) Benson, 95, passed away on March 3, 2005, at Heritage Place in Kalispell of natural causes.

She was born Nov. 11, 1909, in Wyndmere, N.D., to William and Cora (Springer) Staples. She was raised and attended schools in the Havre area.

Viola began her career as a cook at the Dutch Shop Cafe in Havre.

On Sept. 6, 1945, she married Joseph Benson in Kalispell.

In 1950, they moved to Coram. She worked at the Highland Cafe in West Glacier, Club Rocco in Hungry Horse, and at several other places throughout the north Flathead Valley prior to her retirement.

In 2001, she moved to Greenwood Assisted Living and later moved to Heritage Place.

Viola was a longtime member of Jehovah's Witnesses.

She enjoyed gardening and kept a flower bed and a large vegetable garden for many years. She also loved to sew and crochet, and made many quilts and blankets for her grandchildren.

Viola was preceded by her parents; a son, Joseph H. Benson, in 1969; and her husband, Joseph Benson, in 1980.

She is survived by her sons, Edwin and wife, Diane Mundel of Longview, Wash., and Gary and wife, Lois Mundel, of Spokane; daughter, Eleanore Hamilton, of Paragould, Ark.; a sister, Martha Buzzell, of Coram; nine grandchildren, and 19 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Kingdom Hall in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow at the North Valley Senior Center, 205 Nucleus Ave.