Beatrice K. "Bea" Benson, 73, of Cando, ND, formerly of Egeland, ND passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando. Services will be held at a later date.

Beatrie Mantei was born October 12, 1947 to Marcel and Bessie (Leach) Mantei in Cando, ND. She grew up on the family's dairy and grain farm in Egeland. She graduated in 1965 from Egeland High School and attended Aaker's Business College in Grand Forks, ND. She moved to the twin cities and worked as a Bookkeeper for Hoerner Waldorf. She came back to North Dakota in 1974 and worked as a Bookkeeper for the Agate Elevator where she met David Benson as a result of working there. They married on July 16, 1983. They had two children, Edwin and Luke. Bea left the elevator to raise her boys and help on their farm. She liked cultivating, combining, and doing the bookwork. When her son, Edwin, took over the farm she kept doing the bookwork, being very meticulous on how it was done.

Bea was very active in the Cando Lutheran Church. She studied the bible extensively and taught Sunday School for over ten years. She loved to hunt and fish, making many stories over the years. Even as she became crippled from her back problems, she always liked hearing about the hunts Dave and the boys did. She had a big soft spot for her grandson, Brayden Schwartz. She would light up every time his name was mentioned.

Bea is survived by her husband, David; her sons, Edwin (Heidi) and Luke; brothers, Bobby (Peggy) Mantei of Fairbanks, AK; and Kenneth (Kathy) Mantei of Glyndon, MN; and sister-in-law, Betty; and several nieces and nephews.

Bea was preceded in death by her parents, Marcel Sr. and Bessie Leach; brother, Marcel Jr. or Sonny as she knew him; daughter-in-law, Beverly Lapuz Benson; and grandson, Brayden Schwartz.