This memorial website was created in memory of our dear, sweet father, Ken Bensen. His body let go around sunrise on August 23, 2020 while the rest of us slept and with the love of his life, our Mom, sleeping in the bed next to his. We are heavy and light with grateful grieving. This man was/is an extraordinary soul and loved us with all his heart. This kind soul taught us to look at both sides of an issue, respect and be interested in others, appreciate what we had ..... and the power of simple acts of kindness. He was the kind of man who cried listening to good music (classical mostly and he loved brass). He modeled for us what love and devotion for your life partner looks like. He was what God intended a good man to be. We were so blessed to have him with us as long as we did and will miss him always.
Ken is survived by Doris, his wife of 69 years of marriage and 86 years of friendship; four children, five grandchildren, two great granddaughters, and one great grandchild on the way. The children are Christine Teubersen; Bruce and wife, Betsy; Louise (aka Carol); and Karen and partner, Cindy. Grandchildren are: Christine's daughters Juliane Baier and husband, Michi, and Livia; Bruce's daughters Caelen Janusz and husband, Andre, and Taylor Parsley and husband, Cody; and Karen's son, Anten. Great grandchildren are: Charlotte Parsley, Alma Baier and a Janusz baby on the way.
With the uncertainties of COVID remaining, we do not know when and if we will be able to hold an in-person memorial gathering. We hope this site will help all those who loved our Dad join together to celebrate and honor his life as well as find some solace. In addition, we are recommending two options for memorial donations in his name should you want to do so. The memorial donation suggestions and information are below.
Our beloved father and husband lives on in our hearts, through his loving family, and through all the many friends and strangers whose lives he touched with such love, gentleness and grace. Please help us honor and memorialize him by sharing stories (go to "Stories" above), photos (go to "Gallery" above) and notes (see "Tributes" below) on this website. The site will evolve and grow as people add to it, so we welcome you to visit often.
With gratitude and love,
The Bensen Family
Option #1: Hungry for Music
The first donation option was chosen in honor of our dad's great love of music, and in particular his beloved cornet that he began playing as a young boy. Music and his cornet inspired him, provided cherished memories, soothed him, and gave him great joy.
Hungry For Music
In 1992, Jeff Campbell organized a street musician concert to benefit the homeless and within three years he formed a non-profit organization called Hungry For Music, dedicated to expanding opportunities in music for children. Since then, Hungry for Music has placed more than 14,000 instruments in the hands of aspiring musicians – children whose trajectory has been forever altered by the life-changing gift of music. They have delivered anything from trombones and violins to xylophones and guitars to children in 49 states and 30 countries.
To donate go to their website: https://hungryformusic.org
Option #2: Burning Mouth Syndrome Research at Mayo Clinic
As many of you know, our dad suffered from Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) for many years. Despite trying many, many doctors and treatments he was never able to find relief. This painful condition impacted Dad's life in so many ways and was a constant frustration. Mayo Clinic is doing research on BMS and donations can be made in Dad's name to support that research. Here is the information on how to make a donation:
Memorial gifts be made in memory of Ken Bensen to Mayo Clinic for Otolaryngology ENT Research.
·Donations can be made by phone, online or by mail.
• Phone – call 1-855-852-8129 to talk with a Gift Processing Associates who can take a donation securely over the telephone.
• Online – https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc
o Under “tribute information” please indicate the gift is in memory of Ken Bensen
• Mail – Checks can be written directly to Mayo Clinic and mailed to Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
o In the memo line of the check or on a separate paper please indicate that the
donation is in memory of Ken Bensen
Mayo Receipts & notifications:
Once you make the memorial gift you will be provided a receipt for the charitable gift. If you make a note to notify the family, we will get notified as well via letter.