Cindy Rae Benson

Cindy Rae Benson June 16th, 1952 – December 30th, 2022

Cindy passed away from heart complications at the age of 70 on Friday December 30, 2022. She went peacefully with her family by her side. Cindy is in Heaven with her parents, Vernon and Barbara Brabham, her sister, Nancy Jardine, and her beloved grandson, Joseph Henderson. She is survived by her husband and best friend, David Benson, her children, Heidi and Josh Henderson, Holly and Terry Morland, Doug and Laurie Benson, sister, Deanna Lockridge, close family members, Sue Benson, Ginger Christensen, and her 8 grandchildren, Jordyn, Jacob, Hunter, Allison, Maddie, Kensington, Huck, and Wells.

Cindy came into this life on June 16, 1952, in Toledo, Oregon. She spent her early years growing up in western Oregon until she moved to Philipsburg, Montana in 1967 and graduated from Granite High School in 1971. It was in Philipsburg that she first met David Benson. Cindy gave him her picture and David carried it with him while he fought in Vietnam. Upon his return from the service, they began to date.  Not long after, the two knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. After a long trip to Reno and one fake ID, they were married and remained married for 51 years.

Cindy lived on Swede Hill and enjoyed working with her father building things around the property. Vernon taught her carpentry, a skill she used for the rest of her life. Cindy and Vernon’s handywork is still visible around the property today. She and David bought the property, and they would spend the next 51 years building a life and raising their children and grandchildren on the Benson Compound.

Cindy was known for her warmth, kindness, and generosity. She made a positive impact wherever she went and with whomever she met, whether it was greeting people with a warm smile at the bank teller window, helping her customers at her clothing store, being a great hostess for holidays and parties, or helping her community by volunteering at the church. She gave herself to others, always, her family most of all. She was the very definition of a mother, unconditional love, care, and concern. Cindy’s faith in God shined through her love of her family and the community. It was also present in her appreciation of nature, painting landscapes, planting flowers, watching sunsets, and gazing at the Pintler Range. Her talent and her boundless energy were evident in all the homemade Christmas gifts, Knick knacks, paintings, and all the things she did. She was proof that hard work, faith, love, and integrity are the true keys to happiness.

In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with David. She could be seen riding around town with him in their side-by-side. They were always together. They enjoyed taking long side-by-side rides with friends, traveling to Florida, and most importantly, spending time with their family. She became very active with her church and enjoyed volunteering her time to the church and its followers.

David is blessed to have spent 51 years with his best friend, raising 3 wonderful children and 9 beautiful grandchildren. Although her passing will leave a void, David is grateful to have his family with him and takes comfort that he will see her legacy live through his children and grandchildren as they continue her traditions of faith, family, and community.

A public viewing and visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Philipsburg Chapel, 107 S. Holland St., Philipsburg, MT from 6 to 7 p.m.

Please make memorial donations to the Philipsburg Community Church.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service in April.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Cindy and her family.