Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

Dorthella Bryson Benson

Dorthella Bryson Benson left this mortal life peacefully in her sleep on the morning of October 23, 2017. She is now reunited with her beloved husband Glen and adored son Dennis. She has faithfully endured to the end and has earned her angel wings.

Dorthella was born August 6, 1933 during the Great Depression to Otis David and Florence Emma Daley Bryson in the front bedroom of her grand-parents’ home in Payson, UT. She loved growing up among so many dear cousins, aunts and uncles and playmates.

She was a beautiful woman who stole the heart of a handsome Spring Lake gentleman, Glen Wayne Benson. They were married July 17, 1951, and spent their wedding night camping in Payson Canyon. They lived a happy, beautiful life together. They were blessed with their first child, Lynn on April 18, 1952 and just a few years later a second son Dennis joined their happy family on December 12, 1954. They loved traveling, camping, fishing and spending time with their great friends and family. The doctors told her she would never have any additional children after the two boys; but their only daughter Deborah was determined to join the family and surprised everyone when she was born on October 17, 1966. She was spoiled by her dad and brothers, but completed their family.

Dorthella was extremely talented in so many ways. She was an excellent seamstress, making her kids clothes, quilts, & porcelain dolls. She also was talented quilter and spend many days sitting around a quilt at her mother’s house with all of the Daley sisters and cousins while the kids happily played underneath the quilt. She was a ferocious reader and loved bookstores and could always be found in her purple chair curled up with a good book. 

She was a loving, caring giving person. She welcomed everyone into her home, family, friends, missionaries, her children and grandchildren’s friends and she loved everyone.

She loved being a part of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and cherished all the friendships she made in her group.  She also loved her weekly “Sisters Lunch” with the Benson sisters. She also loved her grandchildren more than anything. She never missed a baseball game, football game, play, orchestra/band concert, track meet, basketball game, wrestling match, cheer, dance competition and any of the activities her grandchildren were involved in. She bragged about them to everyone and never missed a birthday or activity.

Sadly, she lost the love of her life on June 26, 1990 when her husband Glen tragically drowned in a boating accident. She has waited 27 years to be reunited with him and missed him dearly. She drove to the cemetery several times each week to visit with Glen, Dennis and her parents. What a glorious reunion they are having now.

She was preceded in death by her parents Otis & Florence Bryson, her husband Glen Wayne Benson, her son Dennis B. Benson, & her brother David Bryson.

She is survived by her son Lynn Wayne (Betty) Benson of Spring Lake, Deborah (David) Smith of Payson  her daughter-in-law Robin Benson, Bristol, CT. She is also survived by Ten grandchildren Melynda (Von) Christiansen), Beaver, UT , Jody (Katie) Benson, Orem, UT, Cascade (Moroni) Pickering, Mapleton, UT, Denali (Jeffren) Roper, Spanish Fork, UT, Lacy Benson (Raleigh, NC), Kendra Ellsworth, Bristol, CT, Dalton Smith, SLC, UT, Spensor Smith, Spring Lake, UT, Aspen (Justin) Carter, Santaquin, UT & Easton Smith, St. George, UT. Sixteen great-grandchildren – Meili, Caleb, Kya & Joshua Christiansen, Joseph, Kali, Carter, & Tate Benson, Crysania, Bowen, Elijah, Sarah, & Alayna Pickering,  Victoria, Shellby, & Lincoln Roper. She is also survived by one brother Lorell (Jean) Bryson and a sister Louise (Richard) Stapley. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends, especially her Spring Lake family.

A viewing in her honor will be held Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Walker Funeral Home at 587 South 100 West Payson, UT. Friends & Family may also attend a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:45 am – 10:45 am at the Spring Lake Church. 12625 South Spring Lake Road. The funeral will be held at 11 at the same location at the Spring Lake Church. Burial will be in the Payson City Cemetery.