Douglas Benson, age 78, of New Ulm passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at his home in New Ulm surrounded by his loved ones.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Kathleen Ulland-Klinkner will officiate. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – South Chapel in New Ulm. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. Thursday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Doug is survived by his wife of over 23 years, Diane Benson; daughters, Cheryl (Brian) Kraus, Roxanne (Thomas) Nuetzman, Kristal Braun, Shelley Hoffmann; son, Michael (Shauna) Hoffmann; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Trudie Wenninger; sisters-in-law, Patty (Scott) Andrews, Marie (Jim) Grusendorf, David (Patty) Sperl; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; brother, Steve (Jan) Benson, Jerry (Carol) Strate; and brother-in-law, Jeff Wenninger.

Douglas Charles Benson was born February 19, 1948 to Truman and Myrtle (Blake) Benson in Redwood Falls. He graduated high school and went on to Votech. Doug worked with the New Ulm Public Utilities – Power Plant, J.R. Schugel Trucking, Gary Aschenbrenner Trucking, and Tri-State Grease & Tallow. On February 14, 2003, Doug was united in marriage to Diane Hoffmann in New Ulm. The couple resided in New Ulm and loved spending time traveling, going on road trips, and being with their family. Doug also enjoyed going mushroom hunting, deer hunting, fishing, and tinkering in the garage. Above all else, Doug treasured all the time he was able to spend with his wife, kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and friends. He will be dearly missed. Blessed be his memory.