Lawrence Benson, 81, of Austin, died Monday morning, May 28, 2007, at the Austin Medical Center.

Lawrence was born to Reuben and Adrena (Hanf) Benson Jan. 3, 1926, in Austin. He grew up on his family&8217;s homesteaded farm in Newry Township and also attended country school in the area. He served in the United States Army during World War II. His unit, &8220;Tropical Lightning,&8221; completed combat missions in the Philippines and occupied Japan. After the war, he married Dorothy Mae Johnson Feb. 2, 1952, in Blooming Prairie. The couple lived in Austin where Lawrence worked at Hormel. After retiring from Hormel, he became the owner of Larry&8217;s Seafood where he traveled a large area selling his products. Besides enjoying the company of his family, friends and customers, his hobbies included hunting, trapping, gardening, and traveling.

Survivors include one daughter, Denise Benson of Austin; three sons, Tom Benson, Bill Benson and Paul Benson, all of Austin; three grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one sister, Marcella Ramsey of Blooming Prairie; three brothers, Richard (Betty) Benson of Blooming Prairie, Robert (Jane) Benson of Owatonna, and David (Janet) Benson of Blooming Prairie; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy in 2004, his brother Gordon Benson, and his brother-in-law Gilbert Ramsey.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Worlein Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment is at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery, rural Austin.