Ellen Marie Benson

Ellen, age 38, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 22, 2014, after a courageous two year battle with breast cancer. She died peacefully in the arms of her beloved husband, Walt. Ellen is survived by her husband of 13 years, Walt; her children, Orion, Alana and Marek; her parents, Trish Sandager, and John and Susie Sandager; three brothers, Brian Sandager and his wife, Amber, Chris Sandager, and Smith Weber; and other loving relatives and lifelong friends. Ellen was an amazing individual. Growing up with horses, she competed as a young girl in several rodeos. In high school, she found joy on stage in the Drama department. Ellen majored in Elementary Education in college, eventually earning her Master's Degree from the University of New Mexico. It was during her time in college, after taking electives in photography and darkroom development, that a love for photography began, which would eventually lead to her photography business. After college, she worked as a teacher at Albuquerque Public Schools, Western Michigan University, and Rio Rancho Public Schools, where she received the Teacher of the Year award. Interspersed throughout all of her education and teaching jobs, Ellen backpacked her way through Europe, raised funds for numerous charities, co-founded a book club, kayaked the rivers of Maine, volunteered her time to non-profit organizations, homeschooled her children, survived a blizzard in a hand-carved snow cave, and made a hopeless young man so very, very happy. Other interests included backpacking, camping, scuba diving, yoga, walking, pilates, knitting, quilting, sewing, and reading. She touched so many lives, constantly giving to others with love and kindness, yet always maintaining a sense of humor that could make the coldest soul smile. But above all of this, her greatest passion and joy in life was found in being a mom. Near the end of her life, her doctors had asked if she wanted to stop treatment due to its devastating effects on her body and she simply said she would never stop fighting if it meant she could possibly spend one more moment with her children. And she never did! A celebration of Ellen's life will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Hoffmantown Church, 8888 Harper Blvd NE. Private burial will take place at a later date. Flowers may be delivered to Hoffmantown Church. However, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to The Ellen Benson Memorial Fund, c/o New Covenant Church, 7201 Paseo Del Norte NE, 87113 or . (Select giving link on the home page and then at the drop down option select to give to the Ellen Benson Memorial Fund.)