Pauline Benson, age 85, of Pender, passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Touchstone Living Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, on Monday, February 8, 2010 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender, NE, with Pastor Glenn Schacht officiating. Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:00AM. Burial will be in St. Mark’s Cemetery in rural Pender. Those wishing to express their condolences can visit with Bradley at the family home at 210 S. 3rd Street in Pender from 1:00-5:00PM, on Saturday and Sunday. Online condolences may be sent at www.mohrfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Pauline was born July 9, 1924 in Pender, Nebraska, the daughter of Herman and Della (Suhr) Essmann. She graduated from Pender High School in 1942. She worked as a timekeeper for the railroad in Kansas. She returned to Pender and worked in various County Government offices, including the County Assessor’s, County Sheriff’s and County Judge’s Offices, and was appointed Acting County Judge. She married Albert Benson April 18, 1948 in Pender. Pauline worked as a secretary at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church before running for Thurston County Clerk, a position she held for many years, until her retirement. After 50 years of marriage, Albert passed away on August 20, 1998. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. She was very proud of her son, Bradley. She enjoyed reading and was very knowledgeable on various subjects, and she especially enjoyed politics. Survivors include her son, Dr. Bradley Benson of Sioux City, IA; sisters, Mae Kidwell of Bancroft, NE, Adell (Harold) Lueders of Emerson, NE, Dorothy Otteman of Mankato, MN, and Hermina Leimer of Louisville, MN; brother, Herman Essmann, Jr (Arlene) of Pender, NE; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert; and brothers-in-law, Don Kidwell, Harold Otteman and Gerhardt Leimer.