Dianne Benson

Dianne S. Benson, 67, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 27, 2015. Formerly of Jacksonville, FL, she passed away peacefully under hospice care in Temple, TX. She was born March 18, 1948 in Columbia, SC. Dianne grew up on many different Army bases including those in Germany, England, Virginia, Kansas, Kentucky and Texas. She graduated from Killeen High School in 1966 and was married shortly thereafter to her first husband, James R. McClenahan in the 2nd AD Chapel at Fort Hood. They lived for more than 20 years in Merced, CA and raised two children, Robert (Bob) and Karen. She later married Theodore (Bob) Robert Benson on her birthday in 1995. They lived a loving and fulfilling life until his passing in 2012. Bob and Dianne will rest in peace together at Evergreen Cemetery in Walker, MN.

Dianne worked diligently for four decades developing her career. While her father, Soren E. Spence, was serving in Vietnam, Dianne began working at Fort Hood while a senior in high school. Her love of country and impressive work ethic enabled her to advance and build a prosperous career in Civil Service. Throughout her years at Castle Air Force Base, Mather Air Force Base, and Lowry Air Force Base, her direction and compassion were essential in the transfer, placement or retirement of thousands of civilian employees as those bases closed. Her integrity, solid negotiating skills, and caring heart were fundamental in her career. After retirement, she continued to serve others as an independent consultant teaching retirement benefits classes to federal employees.

After working for 36 years as a Civil Servant, she retired as Human Resources Officer from the Department of Interior in 2004, just two days before her first grandchild was born. She was an active and involved grandma, and loved reading books to her five grandsons: Adam, Brian and Caleb Case, and Jake and Tyler McClenahan. As a grandma, she attended countless football games, taught Sunday School and baked the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Her giving and faithful heart was an inspiration to many. She loved to travel, and visited 48 states and numerous countries. Recently, her dream came true as she hosted her children and grandchildren on a Disney Cruise. Dianne’s middle initial “S” stood for her maiden name, Spence. However, those who knew her understood that to mean Serve.

She is survived by her son Bob McClenahan and wife Julie, grandsons Jake and Tyler of Napa, CA, daughter Karen Case, grandsons Adam, Brian and Caleb of Neptune Beach, FL, her mother, Minniver (Betty) Spence of Belton, TX, her brother Don Spence and wife Marilyn of Plano, TX, her sister Barbara Speed and husband Robbie of Belton, TX, and sister Teresa Rogers and husband Jackie of Fayetteville, AL and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial service that will be officiated by her nephew is planned for the spring. The family would like to extend their appreciation to her doctors and caring nursing staff of 7N at Baylor Scott & White Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations to your local Ronald McDonald House are appreciated. Like the Ronald McDonald House, Dianne understood and supported the need to love unconditionally and keep families close.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16