John Martin Benesh

John Martin Benesh was born November 9, 1923 in Alida, MN, the son of Fred and Anna (Rosicka) Benesh. He grew up on his parents’ farm near Alida, where he attended school thru the 8th grade. At age 17, he moved to Thompson, ND where he worked as a hired hand on a farm. John joined the United States Army and served at Corregidor and Manila in the Philippines. Following his discharge he returned to Minnesota to work on his brother Edward’s farm. Later, he drove a gravel truck for the Douglas County Highway Department. John met Lorraine Rajdl at the Cottage Grove Resort on Lake Andrew near Alexandria. His persistence and honesty finally earned him a date with Lorraine and the two were married on September 20, 1948. The couple briefly rented a farm and in 1950 bought another farm one mile north of Forada, MN. They were blessed with three children, Ronald, Darrel and Darlene. John and Lorraine farmed that same dairy farm of 60-70 cows, until 2004 when they turned the farm work over to their son, Darrel. For 17 years John also sold corn seed for DeKalb. John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and in 2007 he became a resident of Bethany Ecumen Community. John’s sense of community was very strong. He volunteered his time for many things including the Cenex board and the Forada school board. He served for many years on the Forada Fire Department and was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion. John’s favorite hobby was his work. He loved working with the dairy cows and milking. Farmall was his favored tractor. John also liked to read newspapers and magazines. He was proud of his children and their families and enjoyed their company. In fact John enjoyed just about anyone’s company; John made it clear that a stranger was a friend he just hadn’t met yet. On Thursday, January 1, 2015, John died peacefully at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Freddie, Henry, Edward and Wencil Benesh; and one sister, Mary Netland. John is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Lorraine Benesh of Hudson Township; sons Ronald Benesh and wife Deb, of Hackensack, MN and Darrel Benesh and wife, Janel, of Forada; one daughter, Darlene Erickson and husband, Scott, of Forada; grandchildren, Jennifer Fink, Marie Johnson, Joseph Benesh, Jessica Wymore, Emily Benesh, Cassandra Johnson and Tom Erickson; great grandchildren, Grace & Anna Fink, Mackenzie Benesh, Aubree Johnson, Graham Wymore, Oliver, Henry, Margaret and Victoria Johnson; brothers, Frankie Benesh and wife, Eileen, of Bagley, MN, Bennie Benesh of Sartell, MN and David Benesh and wife, Sherry, of Portland, OR; sisters, Lillian Sauer of Bagley, Henrietta Erickson of Brainerd, MN, Betty Johnson and husband, Duane, of Clearbrook, MN and Shirley Wilson of Titusville, FL; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 10:30 am, with visitation one hour prior, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Casket bearers include Joe Benesh, Tom Erickson, Todd Ludwig, Darrel Kalina, Brian Chlian and Ron Brezina. Honorary casket bearers include all of John’s granddaughters. Military honors were accorded by the American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235 and the Minnesota National Guard. Visitation will be 4 to 8 PM Friday with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 PM at Anderson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home.

John Martin Benesh

November 9, 1923 - January 1, 2015