Ella Fern Benshoff

Ella Fern (Eckhart) Benshoff

KALIDA - Ella Fern (Eckhart) Benshoff, 89, died at 7:23 a.m., on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. She was born July 5, 1936, in Boone, Iowa to the late Charles and Marjorie (Estep) Eckhart. In December of 1953, she married David Olson. He preceded her in death on May 10, 1962. On November 25, 1965, she married Ronald Dean Benshoff. He also preceded her in death on September 8, 2008.

Ella is survived by five children: Cherry Lee Molgaard, Michael Allen Olson, Keith Andrew Olson, Charles David Olson and Terry Lynn Jenson; eighteen grandchildren: Deanna Averesch, Joseph Molgaard, Angela Miehls, Vicki Niese, Jamie Fryslie, Adam Neuroth, Megan Neuroth, Randall Jenson, Kali Thuestad, Jacob Jenson, Jeremie Olson, Jennifer Sprecher, Matthew Olson, Nathaniel Olson, Lynette Olson, Karen Reemtsma, Laura Olson and Jonathan Olson; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by a younger sister, Marjorie Ann Lind.

Ella retired from being the owner of Ella’s Café Restaurant.

Private services will be held by the family. Condolences may be expressed at www.caldwellparrish.com.