Von Husen/Widlund

Benay Widlund von Husen, born Benay Elaine Marguerite Widlund, Nov 4, 1940 in Virginia, Minnesota, to Warner and Amelia (nee Pacifico), passed away on Jan 6, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer. Benay grew up in Minneapolis and lived most of her adult life in the San Francisco Bay area. Benay graduated from Southwest High, studied at the Univ. of MN, and Golden Gate Univ. Early in her career, she held a securities license working for brokerage firms in CA & Hawaii. She later started her own auditing business, Widlund Company.

John H. von Husen, II, Benay’s husband, passed away on Jan 17, 2021. He was born in Stockton, CA, Sept 16, 1927, to John H. and Helen (nee Hill). John spent his youth in Germany and Stockton. He graduated from Stanford Univ. and served in the US Navy in the Korean War. John was part owner of Price Administrators Inc., and Valley Grp. Consultants, managing benefit plans for labor unions (trowel trades).

John and Benay are survived by John’s children,

Kavie Anne von Husen, her children, Christopher and Kerry Heyman; Charles von Husen, wife Katie, and their children Shyann and Cali; predeceased by John’s son, John von Husen, III; surviving are his children, Kristen Francis and John von Husen IV; and John III’s wife Paula von Husen, and her son Luc. Benay is survived by her cherished sisters Wynne (Juan) Aldana and Cynthia (Tom) Widlund-Smith.

Benay was a fantastic cook. John and Benay enjoyed entertaining family and friends, especially on Thanksgiving, their favorite holiday, and during Pt Reyes Western Weekend. Always positive and affable, John and Benay were gracious, generous hosts, taking obvious pleasure in the numerous friendships they maintained over many years. A von Husen event was not to be missed. Every gathering reflected their meticulous attention to detail in making their guests welcome. John and Benay loved watching football, college (mainly Stanford. Go Indians!) and NFL. John and Benay were longtime 49er fans; earlier, Benay rooted for the Packers. Benay enjoyed downhill skiing and they were both avid golfers. Benay and John loved music, theater and the arts. John loved his jazz. Benay was a great enthusiast and patron of opera and classical music, but she could also be seen enjoying herself while listening to live rock n roll bands.

Benay was very active, playing 18 holes of golf weekly. She was a poll worker for more than 40 elections, a member of Golden Gateway Tenant’s Assoc. and San Rafael Elks 1108. Benay enjoyed spending time with Wynne, Cynthia and cousins at the Minnesota State Fair and the annual Widlund Cousins Party in MN. John and Benay were members of Inverness Yacht Club, and Marines’ Memorial Assoc. Our adoration for John and Benay is unabated. The memories they created for us will be held close forever. Memorial gatherings will be planned for California & Minnesota when it is safe to get together again. John and Benay lived a wonderful life including much traveling, especially to Europe and Hawaii. Benay loved that John was the only person who made her laugh every single day. Two halves of a whole, they remain together hereafter. Aloha ‘Oe!