Donna Marie Benson

Funeral services for Donna Benson will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 14, 2026, at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with Pastor Drew Kirtley officiating. Burial will follow in the Alva Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Donna Marie, daughter of the late Joel Thomas and Inez (Belcher) Garrett, was born August 15, 1935, at Cherokee, and passed away peacefully September 8, 2026, at Alva at the age of 91 years and 24 days. Donna was raised in Cherokee and graduated with the Class of 1953 from Cherokee High School. On January 1, 1954, she was united in marriage to Donald Lee Benson at Cherokee. She went to beauty school and worked as a hairdresser helping put her husband through law school after he was honorably discharged from the United States Army. They made their home in Lawton and then Norman. Eventually they made their home in Alva where they raised their family. She was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Donna was active in CWF and PEO. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi and Eastern Star for a time. She loved attending all of her grandkid’s activities, playing Rummy and Bridge with her friends, gardening and taking care of her flower beds, and in her younger years she enjoyed sewing. She and Don were members of a camping club and enjoyed their travels. Besides her parents, Joel and Inez, she was preceded in death by her husband, Don Benson in 2004; her brother and his wife, Joel and Frances Garrett; and a brother-in-law, Dr. Ben Benson. Donna is survived by her son, Bryce Benson and wife, Sherrie, of Alva; her daughter, Brenda Rose and husband, Keith, of Alva; four grandchildren, Sherryce Pinon and husband, Tyler, of Castlerock, Colorado, Chrystal Detring and husband, Tyler, of Bixby, Nathan Rose and wife, Candra, of Elk City, and Shannon Wilson and husband, Ryne, of Alva; twelve great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; a sister-in-law, Nita Benson of Woodward; other relatives and many friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Don Benson Memorial Scholarship Fund through NWOSU or the charity of your choice.

Donna Marie Benson

August 14, 1935 - September 8, 2026