Ben DeLong VII

Ben DeLong VII was born to Ben VI and Della (Kruize) DeLong on July 1, 1931 in rural Elbow Lake, MN, the second child in a family of eight. Both his parents had immigrated to America in 1910 from the Dutch Netherlands and settled near Adrian, MN as farmers. In 1947 Ben moved with his family to a farm they had purchased four miles south of Herman. Ben grew up there and later purchased the farm. In 1951 Ben joined to United States Army and served his country during the Korean War in the Intelligence Reconnaissance Division, 100 miles behind the Iron Curtain in Berlin, Germany. He was honorably discharged in May 1954 and enrolled at Moorhead State College. On April 2, 1955 Ben and Vonna Koser were married at the E.U.B. Church in Norcross, MN by Reverend Vern Schendel. They moved onto the farm south of Herman where they lived the next 48 years raising their four children, Ben Bradley VIII, Kandis Kae, Jana Joy and Ginger Ginean. Ben was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing pool, pitching horse shoes, playing cards and spending time with family. He was active in the United Methodist Church serving on various church boards, Odd Fellows, American Legion and a 4-H Leader. He was active in Mission work in Mexico, and worked for various emergency centers in MN including the floods in Roseau, Winona, and Rochester. Ben was also a volunteer for the joint replacement center at the Douglas County Hospital. Ben and Vonna enjoyed camping and traveling, having visited all 50 States, Canada, Mexico and a large part of Europe. They were snow birds in the lush Rio Grande Valley of Texas for 20+ years. Due to declining health Ben and Vonna moved from the farm to Alexandria in 2001. Ben served his God first; family second; Country and Community third. Well done good and faithful servant. Ben died on Saturday, August 09, 2014 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria at the age of 83. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ben and Anna; parents, Ben and Della; brothers, Robert and Edward; and grandson, Bryce Ringdahl. Ben is survived by his wife, Vonna; son, Ben of Alexandria; daughters, Kandis (Scott) of Glenwood, Jana (Todd) of Seattle, WA and Ginger (Scott) of Anna, OH; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-granddaughters; brothers, John and Richard; sisters, Greta Mogler, Elsie (Al) Iverson and Darlene Loose. A memorial service was held on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at the Herman Methodist Church in Herman with Reverend Darrell Boe officiating. Interment was in Lakeside Cemetery in Herman. Honorary urn bearers were Ben’s Grandchildren and Great-Granddaughters. Military Honors were provided by the Herman American Legion Post 378. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Ben DeLong VII

July 1, 1931 - August 9, 2014