Elmer Benson named ILA resident of the month
Elmer "Bennie" Benson has been named resident of the month at Iola Living Assistance (ILA).
Bennie was born and raised in the town of Amherst with his three brothers and three sisters. His father worked at the paper mill and his mother stayed home with the children. Bennie attended school in Amherst all the way through high school.
The day after World War II began, Bennie enlisted in the U.S. Army and served four years. During most of the war, Bennie was stationed in Europe, but spent some time in Africa as well.
Upon returning from WWII, Bennie moved to Milwaukee and began working in construction. Shortly after marrying Clarice Sannes, they moved back to Amherst where he started his own construction company Benson & Hanson with ILA's resident Verne "Husky" Hanson. Benson & Hanson Construction built homes in the Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids areas.
The Bensons have one son, Richard, a state piano champion.
Bennie's hobbies include carving wood animals, fishing and hunting, and tipping over outhouses.
Bennie was recently honored by the American Legion Post 22 of Amherst for his 65 years of service to the American Legion.
ILA is a nonprofit organization that operates the community-owned 50-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. In addition to this facility, they own and operate Butternut Ridge, an independent living apartment complex, and Living Oaks, a 24-unit assisted living facility. For more information, visit www.iolalivingassistance.org or call 715-445-2412.
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