Rosemary Benson was born on August 30, 1933 in a rural community south of Mandan ND. She was the fifth child of ten born to George and Katherine Fleck. She was the last remaining child and passed away peacefully at the age of 90 surrounded by her family.

She was raised on a large farm and at a young age would get on her horse and round up the cattle. She met her husband Ray the day before he shipped off for the Korean war and waited patiently for him to return. He later surprised her at Mass with a proposal and a ring. They were married on September 1, 1953 and later followed the railroad to Pasco with a 2 year old and a 5 week old baby.

Rosemary was survived by three children: Dwight (Julie) Benson, Debi (Greg) Taber, Rosalyn (Tom) O'Neill. She was blessed with 7 grandchildren: Heather, Ryan, Brooke, Candace, Chris, Brandon, and Jenny and 14 great-grandchildren: Langley, Drew, Conner, Tyler, Addison, Miles, Jaxon, Quinn, Gavin, Charlie, Shelby, Isla, Aleah, and Grady and her sister-in-law Justine Fleck.

Rosemary was a devout Catholic and in her later years she watched Mass on TV every night. She loved to play cards and bingo and attend her grandchildren's sporting events. She loved to play family poker games where she would play every hand. After her husband Ray had a stroke, she took very good care of him for three years. They were married for 56 years before he passed away in 2010. Rosemary picked up the name Grandma Kitty for her love of stray cats.

Viewing will be held on Sunday, May 12, at 5:00 PM followed by Rosary at 6:00 PM at Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 13, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Pasco. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Patrick's Catholic School, Tri-City Prep High School, or Meals on Wheels.