Gwen Ann Benson

Funeral services for Gwen Benson will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Marshall Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Star Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. There will be a visitation with family present on Friday from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Gwen Ann, daughter of Charles W. and Gwendolyn Maxine (Zahn) Young, was born June 24, 1944 in Shattuck, Oklahoma and passed away November 10, 2025, at her home in Pryor at the age of 81 years, 4 months, and 14 days. She attended numerous schools while her father was in the military, and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama in 1962. Upon graduation she lived in Fargo, Oklahoma with her family on land obtained during the land rush. She moved to Alva, Oklahoma and met her soul mate and married James M. Benson on August 25, 1968. They became a staple of the Alva community until they moved to eastern Oklahoma after retirement. While married to Jim and raising two children she went to Northwestern Oklahoma State University. As a student she won the T.C. Carter award and the Joe Dollins Merit Award and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate and master’s degrees. After short stints in the Freedom and Alva Public School Districts she was hired by her alma mater in 1987 and eventually became the head of Northwestern’s English department. Learning and education was a passion of hers and she eventually obtained her Ph.D from Oklahoma State University in 1997. Gwen was a dedicated educator who touched many lives through her love of education and the belief in unlocking the talents of each individual student. She retired in 2004. She was active in the Alva Chapter of Eastern Star, the Jaycee Janes, the American Association of University Women, National Education Association, and was the sponsor for the University Chapter of Cardinal Key. Those who knew her knew that she had a fierce sense of humor, she loved to read, listen to music and travel (Loved Alaska). She loved pretty flowers and always had a green thumb. Gwen is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jim Benson, of which they have 4 children between them, Mike Warren of Dallas, Teri Hodges and husband, Shawn, of Pryor, Gerald Benson and wife, Renetta, of Alva, Amy Rude and husband, Jeff, of Bartlesville; her sister Su Zahn Barclay and husband, Tom, and their 2 children, Elisabeth and Thomas II, of Gaston, Oregon; grandchildren, Kaitlynn, Colin, Melissa, Josh, Willy, Michael and Tyler and her cousins, MaryBeth Ellis and Nancy Torcson of New Orleans, Louisiana; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Young and Gwen Weir, brother Richard Young, daughter, Sheree Lyons and grandson, Trevor Hodges. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the NWOSU Foundation and Alumni Association.

Gwen Ann Benson

June 24, 1944 - November 10, 2025