Leslie R. “Les” Benson, age 73 of Darlington, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. He was born Sept. 13, 1944 in Darlington the son of Ralph and Lila (Buehler) Benson. Les grew up in Lamont Township and graduated from Darlington High School in 1963.  Following graduation from high school, Les farmed in Lamont Township on a dairy farm. He was united in marriage to Terry Lynn Simmons on Aug. 30, 1969 at the Darlington United Methodist Church in Darlington. In 1971 Les and Terry moved to Belmont where they farmed until 1988. In 1990 they moved to rural Mineral Point where Les did custom work until 1999. He returned to Belmont in 2000 and retired to Darlington in 2013.
Les is survived by his five children: Paul (Lori) Benson of Mineral Point, Grant (Janet) Benson of Gratiot, Paula (Rick) McDermott of Benton, Tara (Kennon) Bright of Mt. Horeb, and Clark Benson of Belmont; seven grandchildren; ten step-grandchildren; one brother: Lavern (Nancy) Benson of West Salem; and one sister: Deanna (Jim) Collins of New Braunfels, Texas and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister: Marjorie Benson in infancy.
Les was a member of the Pecatonica Valley Antique Club and always looked forward to going to the Rock River Thrasheree. He loved to spend time with his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed dancing in his younger years and going to the Belmont Sales Barn. Les was a very social person and enjoyed meeting new people wherever he went.  He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends.
A funeral service will be held Thursday March 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Darlington United Methodist Church (546 Park Place, Darlington) with Rev. Angela Utter officiating. Burial will be held in Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation was held Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington (508 Park Place, Darlington) from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer a memorial fund has been established in Leslie’s name.