Allen (Na sa be bi atta) Benson passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, at La Porte City Specialty Care at the age of 83.

He was born on March 27, 1943, on the Meskwaki Settlement to Ellis Earl and Nellie (Mitchell) Benson. In September of 1944, while his father was serving in the Army overseas during WW II, Allen's mother passed away unexpectedly. It was then that he was given into the care of Oscar & Geneva Gingrich to raise as their own, giving him the care and foundation that remained part of his life’s story.

Allen was raised in Waterloo and graduated from Orange Township High School in 1962. After high school, he chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps and went on to serve three years, including service in Vietnam. During his time in the military, he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the M-14 Rifle-Marksman Badge, and the .45 Pistol Marksman Badge.

After returning from service, Allen began building his family. He married Victoria Stupp in April of 1968 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and they welcomed a son, Terence Michael. They later divorced. In 1970, he married Patricia Worthen in Vinton, Iowa, and they had two daughters, Brenda Lucretia and Theresa Lynne. They later divorced as well. Later in life, Allen married Barbara VanNice on February 14, 1987 and together they formed a blended family that included Allen’s children and Barbara’s children: Cheryl, Michael, Randy, Ed, Scott, Kenneth, David, and Nicolett. Barbara died in 2003.

Allen was employed by John Deere and retired from there after years of work. Beyond his career, he was also a bass player for the band The Gay Tones, sharing his musical side with others.

He was a simple, humble person who led by example with wisdom, his memories, his humor, and his simple presence. He loved traveling with Barb and enjoyed camping near Hazelton. He also became known for his large collection of business cards, never passing up the chance to pick one up wherever he went.

One of the accomplishments Allen held most dear was his sobriety. He was sober for 57 years, a milestone that meant a great deal to him and to those who knew his journey. He was honored as Father of the Year for AA, and he took deep pride in the life he built through that commitment.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis Earl and Nellie Benson; by Oscar and Geneva Gingrich, who raised him; by his wife, Barbara Benson; and by his children Brenda Benson Gingrich, Randy Lyons, Ed Lyons, and Nicollet Lyons.

He is survived by his children, Terence Miller and his wife Diane, Theresa Mahoney and her husband Jim, Cheryl Voelschow and her husband Jeff, Michael Lyons and his wife Janet, Scott Lyons, Kenneth Lyons, and David Lyons. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, multiple great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. His family and all who knew him carry forward the memory of a man whose life was marked by service, quiet strength, devotion to family, and pride in the hard-won blessings of each day.

Services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Parrott and Wood Funeral Home. Family will greet guests during a visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.