Leonard Eugene Benson

God has a new cowboy. After a brief battle with cancer, Leonard Eugene Benson died May 17, 2011, at home, with his loving wife by his side. He was 74 years old. On January 30, 1937, he was born to Wilbert and Josephine Thomas Benson in Greeley, Colorado. He was a proud older brother to his sister, Janice, whom he adored. Leonard loved being outside and riding horses. In his younger days, he used to rodeo in the bareback division. He was married and divorced. That union produced two children, Steven and Suzanne. In 1983 while working in Jackpot, Nevada, he met his soul mate, Carol Greenup. They worked in different casinos throughout Nevada before settling in Twin Falls. He spent the last 15 years working in Jackpot at Barton’s Club 93 before becoming ill. He loved working there and visiting with his coworkers. Over the years, he made many good friends. Leonard and Carol spent over 27 years enjoying each other’s company, no matter what they were doing. He enjoyed going to the Oregon coast, reading mysteries, going for rides in the desert, and working in his yard. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He was briefly stationed at West Point. He served as a TDY and he was honorably discharged from West Point from the detachment unit. His parents, Wilbert and Josephine Benson, and two nephews preceded him in death. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Carol, along with his sister, Janice, her husband john Parziale, and their son Tony. He has an extended family on his wife’s side including his mother-in-law Betty Greenup, his wife’s siblings June Erstad, Ole(Marie) Greenup, Roger (Sharon) Greenup, Susan (Lee) Bliven, Dean (Ella) Greenup, Cheryl (Dennis) Wiese, Sherry Greenup (LaVaughn Smith) Debbie (Brent) Bergen, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Thank you to the special care from his home care staff. He was very special and blessed by all of the wonderful people who knew and loved him. Please wear something colorful to celebrate his life. He loved colors and it showed in his yard. He was a wonderful husband, brother, and friend. He will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 20, 2011 at Rosenau Funeral Home with Pastor Phil Price officiating. Burial will follow the services at Twin Falls Cemetery with Military Rites given by the Idaho Army Honor Guard and the Magic Valley Area Veterans. A viewing for family and friends will be from 6:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, May 19 at the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to share their thoughts of Leonard at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com