Jacquelyn A. Benjamin

Jacquelyn Arvella Benjamin went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 25, 2022 surrounded by family in her own home in Maplewood, MN. Jackie was born May 18, 1932 in Fosston, MN. During her school years she loved sports and played basketball and sang in the choir.  She graduated from Gonvick High School in 1950. Following graduation, she moved to Thief River Falls to waitress in a diner. She and several of her friends then moved to St. Paul where she was employed at Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator until she was married and then later returned to the phone company for several years after her kids were in school.  She had many interesting stories to share from her employment. On May 22, 1954, Jackie married Joseph G. Benjamin at St. Matthews Catholic Church in St. Paul. They were life-long active members at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Maplewood. She was involved in the church choir for many years and volunteered with St. Jerome’s School and the 55+ Club. In the early 1970s, she also delighted in volunteering her time at Gillette Children’s Hospital. In 1994, after the passing of her husband, Jackie fulfilled a life-long dream of her 86-year-old mother, Nina, by taking her on a trip to Hawaii. Jackie is preceded in death by her very special grandfather, Anton Moen; parents, Verner and Nina Olson; husband, Joseph Benjamin; brother, Neil Olson, and daughter, Julie Benjamin. She is survived by her children, Janice (Joseph) Merten, Stillwater, MN, John (Starr) Benjamin, Clear Lake, IA, Susan (Steven) Gordon, Maplewood, MN; brother, James (Gloria) Olson, Moorhead, MN; sister-in-law, Mary Lou (John) Volk, West St. Paul, nine grandchildren – Emily (Kelly) Robison, Janet Dallman, Daniel (Sarah) Merten, Andrew Merten, Nora (Scott) Byers, Luke Benjamin, Anna (Art) Hornbaker, Colette (Brandon) Kasowski, Troy Palmateer; seventeen (18th in June) great-grandchildren,  two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.​Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Thursday, March 31 at THE CHURCH OF ST. JEROME, 380 E. Roselawn Ave., Maplewood. Interment Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation at MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME - ROSEVILLE, 2130 N. Dale St. at County Rd B, from 4-7 PM Wednesday, and at the church from 9-10 AM Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jerome’s Catholic School or Allina Health Hospice Foundation.