Margaret was born on August 21, 1922, in Nut Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her nickname was “Ditts.” Margaret was the second daughter of the late John (Jack) Wilson and Hilda Edith Coughlin Wilson. She received her education in various schools throughout Canada, Seattle, Washington, and Burbank, California. While working in her father’s restaurants in Burbank, CA, she met the love of her life, Carrol (Benny) Benson. She married him in June of 1942 and a year later they had their son, John. Shortly thereafter, they decided to move to Iowa where Benny’s family resided. While renting several farms and owning a couple of restaurants, they had a daughter, Susan. They moved to Marshalltown, Iowa in 1958 and they established Benny’s Restaurant on First Avenue. Margaret continued to work as a waitress and bookkeeper in the restaurant. That business moved to Main Street and they operated in until 1978. They retired to their farm but Margaret returned to full time employment at Walgreens for several years.

Margaret was a volunteer for the YMCA and served as president for the Craft Club for a few years. An amazing quilter, she made quilts for her daughter and husband, Jim, two grandsons, Christopher and Todd, their wives, Nancy and Brandy and her three great-grandchildren, Andrew, Brooke and Adelyn. Her farm and flowers were a source of pride for her and she loved to sit and weed her gardens. She was known for her delicious, homemade chicken and noodles and took homemade cookies to church every Sunday for the early morning prayer group and then left quite a few more for the kids. She became known as the “Cookie Lady.” Reading was a must for her and the daily crossword puzzle was a delightful challenge that she exceled in every day. She volunteered at the Grimes farm and enjoyed giving tours. Though she had to move to Tennessee in 2015 due to health issues, she still considered Iowa as her home. Her greatest love was for the Lord and she was happiest when she was with her husband of almost 45 years, Benny.

She was preceded in death by her beloved friend and husband, Carrol (Benny); son, John; sisters, Jacquie Hand and Pat Gilbert and brothers-in-law, Sidney Beales and Melvin Hand.

Surviving are her daughter, Susan Weaver, and son-in-law, Jim, of Kingsport, TN, two grandsons, Christopher (Brandy) Weaver, of Knoxville, TN, Todd (Nancy) Weaver, of Gray, TN; three great grandchildren: Andrew Weaver, Brooke Weaver, and Adelyn Weaver; one sister Mary Beales, of Vancouver, Canada, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that your contributions be sent to Liscomb Church of Christ in Liscomb, Iowa, where a memorial fund has been established.

Services will be held at the Liscomb Church of Christ at 1 pm July 27, 2019, with Minister, Ralph Norman, officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.