Zella was born on April 22, 1908, in State Center, Iowa, the daughter of Corydon and Mary Olive Buck. She was a graduate of Lamoille High School and attended business college in Des Moines, Iowa. On November 19, 1934, Zella was married to Carl Benson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple live in Marshalltown until 1937, when they moved to Grinnell to make their home. Carl and Zella owned and operated the Benson Turkey Farm from 1937 - 1973. After retirement, Carl and Zella enjoyed trout fishing, camping and traveling. After the death of her husband in 1984, Zella continued living on the family farm until 1996, at which time she moved to the Mayflower Home. Zella was a member of the United Church of Christ-Congregational Church in Grinnell. She enjoyed cooking, reading, listening to music, crafts, counted cross stitch, crocheting, knitting and spending time with her family and friends. Holidays were special to her as it gathered her family. Zella delighted in her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved her family. She will be missed by all of those who loved her. Zella is survived by her daughter Sally Maring of Grinnell and her family, husband Gary and children Kim, Pam and Jennifer, and her son David Benson of Grinnell and his family, wife Fonda and children Darci, Tim and Amanda; along with 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Linda Thomas, great granddaughter Matilyn McClure, four brothers, and five sisters. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Mayflower Homes Human Needs Fund.