Mona Gail Ekert Benson, 71

Mona Gail Ekert Benson, 71, passed away peacefully on Saturday Nov. 5, 2011, at her home in Whitefish.

Mona was born on Sept. 24, 1940, to Leander and Maye Eckert in Glasgow.

Mona was the youngest of six children. At an early age the family moved to Whitefish where Mona attended school, and graduated in 1958.

After various jobs, she went to work for BNSF Railroad, retiring in 2000.

In 1980, Mona married Robert Benson. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, camping, crafts, Red Hats, pinochle, and Club Grannies with her Moose friends.

She will be remembered for her famous baked beans, which was always requested for family gatherings. Her family will miss the calendars she made every year and gave out at Christmas, and the personalized ornaments she made for each family member.

“Mona, we love you very much and you will be greatly missed.”

The family would like to thank Home Options Hospice for their wonderful care during Mona’s illness.

Mona was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, her mother and father-in-law, and a stepson.

Mona is survived by her husband, Bob, of Whitefish, sons, Ken Eckert and his wife Monica of Fresno, Calif., and Robby Benson and his wife Rhonda of San Antonio, Texas, daughter, Sue Lamgo, and Jan, of Grand Junction, Colo.; numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; her brother, Bill, and wife, Arlene Eckert, of Kalispell; sister, Barbara Wiprud, of Great Falls; brother, Gary Eckert, and wife, Nadene, of Kalispell; and many, many friends.

Funeral services for Mona will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Austin Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. There will be a visitation at Austin from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11; and one hour prior to services on Saturday. A reception will be held at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish following Mona’s burial.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences and view Mona’s tribute wall.