Marie Bensch

Marie A. Bensch, age 87, of Jamestown passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, August 27, 2023 surrounded by her family and loved ones at Missouri Slope, Bismarck, ND. Marie was born July 3, 1936 in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The daughter of George and Essie Lee (Silcox) Ankerson. Marie grew up in Bayou La Batre graduating from Alba High School in 1953 and then attended Providence Hospital School of Nursing. After graduating from nursing school she proudly joined the United State Air Force where she was a 1st Lieutenant and stationed at Tyndall  Air Force Bace in Panama City, Florida where she met the love of her life her husband Harold P. Bensch. They were married in Panama City, Florida February 15, 1964. She moved to North Dakota with Harold sight unseen in November of 1964. She never had warm feet again.

She worked for Jamestown Hospital in Labor and Delivery. In 1973 she started working with her husband Harold at Stutsman County Abstract Company until her retirement on March 1, 2017. She owned and operated for 17 years LaMoure County Abstract Company in LaMoure, North Dakota.  She became an active member of Grace Episcopal Church where she was confirmed in 1965. She was an active member of Chapter K P.E.O. from 1965 until her passing. She raised two wonderful children, Julia and Paul.

Her pride and joy was her grandson Christopher.  Every picture she ever posted of Christopher was always followed by “Grandma’s ❤️❤️❤️”. She loved watching him put his Legos together and sharing the love for Star Wars with him.

She enjoyed camping with family and friends and traveling the world with Harold. One Title Company trip in 1987 put them smack dab in the middle of the San Francisco Earthquake. Oh the stories she could tell. She loved a good cruise. Cruising to many destinations, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, the Eastern Seaboard, Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska was by far her favorite. Her last cruise was in 2020 before COVID-19 with her entire family.  Marie loved her Alabama Crimson Tide football “Roll Tide” and University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey. Marie loved her family and friends deeply and to be loved by her was treasured by all.

Marie had a very deep Christian faith and her southern roots ran deep. Her fun-loving spirit was a joy for everyone she met.

Marie is survived by her daughter, Julia (Terry) Dunnigan and their son Christopher (Maries favorite grandson); son, Paul Bensch (her favorite child) and Paul’s friend Tanya Olson and her son Kevin; her adopted son Brian (Melissa) Kamlitz;  sister Bernice (Ankerson) Hogan and her daughter Jan Hogan; sister-in-law Judy (Bensch) Winter and her children Kathy (Tom) Ziegler, Suzy (Paul) Neumann, Kim (Tim) Pepera; 12 great nieces and nephews and 16 great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold P. Bensch; parents, George J. Ankerson and Essie Lee Ankerson; daughter-in-law, Janis L. Bensch; Father -in-Law, George H. Bensch; Mother-in-Law, Anna E.

Bensch and Brothers-in-law, Jim Winter and Larry Hogan; Great Niece Jordan Elizabeth Neumann.

Pallbearer: Christopher Dunnigan

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to JRMC Hospice, P.E.O. International designated to Cottey College (www.peointernational.com) or a charity of your choice.

Memorial Service - 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 14 , 2023 at Grace Episcopal Church, Jamestown, with Father Bob Hoekstra officiating.

Burial - 3:00 p.m., Thursday, September 14 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.