William Malcolm "Bud" Bengson , 80, Minot, died Sunday, August 12, 2012, in a Minot hospital.

William Malcolm "Bud" Bengson was born February 15, 1932, near Esmond, ND to Virgil and Katherine (Getz) Bengson. He attended grade schools in Tacoma, Washington, Eugene Oregon and Esmond, ND. Bud graduated from Esmond High School in 1950.

Bud began his college education at the University of North Dakota in 1950 and transferred to Mayville State Teachers College in 1951, where he studied until joining the US Army in September of 1952. In 1953, he volunteered for Korea and was honorably discharged from the military in August 1954. This allowed Bud the opportunity to complete his degree and he graduated from Mayville State Teachers College in 1956.

Bud was united in marriage to LaVonne Reierson on September 2, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Esmond, ND. Following their marriage, Bud began teaching and coaching at Neche, ND from 1956-1964, moving on to Drake from 1964-1968 and Finley for the 1969 academic year.

Bud graduated from North Dakota State University with a masters degree in school administration 1969. Soon after graduating, Bud became the superintendent at Anamoose, ND where he served in that capacity until 1973.

Bud and LaVonne moved to Minot in the fall of 1973, where he opened an insurance agency for the crop hail division of Glacier General Insurance Company. In 1985, he joined Hartford Insurance Agency and continued with the company until his retirement in January 1996.

Bud was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Minot where he served as the Sunday school superintendent and as a church council member. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, Eagles and the Golden K Kiwanis in Minot. Bud was an active volunteer for the Minot Commission on Aging and the Norsk Hostfest.

He enjoyed all athletic activities, especially those involving his grandchildren. Bud was known to many for his phrases or 'budisms' that could explain or simplify any situation. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to many. He will be deeply missed.

Buds loving family includes his wife, LaVonne; daughters, Kathleen (Joel) Hansen; Melissa (Michael) Larsen; son, Douglas (Patti) Bengson; grandchildren, Meagan (fianc, Jordan Dorsch); Matthew (Bobbi) Hansen; Emily and Sophie Bengson; Hayden Schwarz; Charlie and Halle Larsen; great grandchildren, Elijah and Jayla Hansen; sister, Agnes Carlson and many nieces and nephews.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Katherine Bengson; parents-in-law, Henry and Clarissa Reierson; brothers-in-law, Merton Reierson, Leo Halvorson and Basil Truax; sister-in-law, Ellen Truax.

Celebration of Bud's Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 16, 2012 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Minot.
Family service will be held Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Minot, Golden K Kiwanis or to an organization of the donor's choice.