Robert J. Benson Sr., 74, of Mount Vernon, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Traditional Wake will be held Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Fox Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement. Mike Keahna will be the speaker. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD, at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.

Robert was born on September 23, 1946, in Marshalltown Iowa, the son of Phillip and Gladys (Buffalo) Benson Sr.

He went to elementary school in Chicago, IL, and graduated high school in 1964 at Eagle Butte, SD.

He served his country during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army which he was very proud of.

On December 30, 1965, he married the love of his life, Irene Lillian Guerrero. From this union five children were born. In 1989, he married Sharon Darnell in Kansas and she passed away in 1994.

Robert had several occupations in his career, as a police officer, working in construction, truck driver, and executive director of housing authority for the Meskwaki tribe. Over the years, he lived in Chicago, IL, Denver, CO, Eagle Butte, SD, Kansas, Georgia, Nebraska, and Iowa. Robert enjoyed beading, watching old Western movies and Dallas Cowboys football, mowing the lawn, and visiting family.

Survivors include his children, Roberta (Patrick) Benson of Tama, Carla (Shawn) Traversie of White Horse, SD, and Shawn Benson of Tama; adopted sons, Vernon (Misty) Jefferson and Ryan Roberts; fifteen grandchildren, Tanner, Jayci, Caylor, Ricky, Kylie, Brannon, Caden, McKennan, Christian, Shannae, Shawn, Brad, Marley, Kolton, and Jazzlyn; sixteen great-grandchildren, Andon, Gladys, Tayevia, Tyron, Ariyani, Kynzlei, Leilani, K'Bryn, Canku, Kevryn, Jamerson, Mila, Mason, Brantley, Isabel, and Ermias; his sister, Linda Tyon of Tama; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Sharon; brother, Phillip Benson Jr.; and two sons, Richard and Robert Jr. Benson.