Vernon Earl Benjaminson, 82, of Cavalier, ND passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Lutheran Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation at the church for one hour before the time of services. Vernon was born on March 2nd, 1940 in his family home on a farmstead in Mountain, ND to Ingvar and Sylvia (Holm) Benjaminson. Vern grew up on his family farm. He attended Mountain School, and he graduated in 1958. During high school, Vern worked at the local John Deere shop in Cavalier, ND, where he became an excellent mechanic. He was known to be the guy who could fix anything. Shortly after graduation, Vernon began working for Mayo Construction in Cavalier, ND, where he began a lifelong career with the “Mayo Boys”. His summers were spent on the road where he milled, paved, and oversaw his crews across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He was a lifelong “road warrior”. In his winters, he owned and operated an over the road trucking company, where he would answer to the handle, “Benji”. His over the road career took him all across America and Canada where he made many friends and often shared fun stories of his travels. Vernon married Carolee Cuffe on September 21st, 1972 in Osnabrock, ND. They made their home in Olga, ND shortly after marrying. In 1974, they moved to Cavalier, ND where he became a lifelong resident and raised 3 children: Brent, Nicki, and Ashley. His other daughter, Nicole Aumua, was raised in Minot, ND by her mother Janelle. Carolee and Vern divorced in 1992. He later met Linda Letexier, and she became his partner up until his death. He lovingly referred to her as “Linda baby”. Vern retired from Mayo Construction when he was 72. After his retirement, he spent his time tinkering with his many cars, driving around in the country, participating in Happy Hours with his friends, honoring his Icelandic heritage, and making sure his children and extended family were happy, healthy, and safe. In the last years of his life, Vern was in failing health. But that did not stop him from doing things his way. He lived independently. He drove his many cars around to visit people. He spent time with his constant companion, Little Vernie, and continued to check in and help all the people he loved and adored. Vernon is survived by his children Brenton (Vicki) Benjaminson, Scottsdale, AZ, Nicole (Kaio) Aumua, Lake Elsinore, CA, Nicole (Jefferson) Tellmann, Grand Forks, ND, and Ashley (Jennifer) Benjaminson, Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren Devin and Emily McBride, Whitney Krsnak, Jalen Hanson, and Maya, Bet, and Blaze Tellmann, and Cole Benjaminson; special friend, Linda Letexier, Cavalier, ND and her daughters, Terri, Tammi, Traci, and Tanya and their families, and his sister, Linda (Sven) Mickels and several nieces and nephews. Vern was preceded in death by his beloved dog, Little Vernie, his niece, Kammi Leland, his great niece, Stephanie Nash, his sister, Marlys Byron, his mother and father, Sylvia and Ingvar Benjaminson, and his sister, Carol Indridason. Vern will be missed by his family, his bonus family, his Mayo Construction crews, and his many friends he made throughout his long life.
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Stella K. Shirek, age 94, of Lakota, ND, formerly of Lankin, ND, died Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the Good Samaritan Society in Lakota, surrounded by her family. Stella was born May 21, 1928 to Stanley & Alice (Sirek) Mayer on the family farm near Michigan, ND. She was raised on the farm and attended rural schools, graduating from Michigan High School in 1946. She then attended Mayville State Teachers College and taught at the rural schools of Nash, Lambert, Norton, and Cleveland. Stella married James T. Shirek on October 30, 1950 at Bechyne. They lived on their farm and she worked part time at the Johnson Store in Michigan. In 2014 they moved into Prairie Rose at Lakota. They were married 65 years at the time of James’ death on June 25, 2016. That year Stella moved to the Good Samaritan. Stella was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Bechyne and the Altar Society, Whitman TOPS Club, Busy Fingers Homemakers, FCSLA, Bechyne Heritage Hall Committee, and also worked with the Census Bureau for many decades. She was known for her wit & sense of humor, and her poetic writings. She always enjoyed having her grandchildren visit at the farm. Stella is survived by her children, Beverly Sommerfeld of Fargo, ND, James M. Shirek of rural Lankin, ND, Trish (Harley) Wallace of San Tan Valley, AZ, and Anthony (Laura) Shirek of Rochester, MN; daughter-in-law, Joy Shirek of Minot, ND; grandchildren, Rick (Kelly) Sommerfeld, Dan Sommerfeld, Matt (Amy) Sommerfeld, Phil (Kiley) Shirek, Charlie (Alyssa) Shirek, Angie (Jossue) Ortiz, Julie (Ed) Golding, Dylan Shirek, and Alexa (Brennan) Erickson; great-grandchildren, Miranda & Alyssa Sommerfeld, Enzo & Claire Ortiz, Declan & Tovah Shirek, Parker & Becca Shirek, Lucy & Sophie Golding, and Quinn & Lily Erickson; 3 step grandchildren, Brian Wallace, Justin Wallace, and Kelli Witt; 5 step great-grandchildren; brother, Jim Mayer of St. Paul, MN; sister, Judy (Gus) Larson of Wasilla, AK; 2 sisters-in-law, Marcy Oppegaard of Lakota and Connie Mayer of Mandan, ND; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Randy; son-in-law, James Sommerfeld; sisters, Marcella, Alice, RoseAnn, and Blanche; and brothers, Otto, Stanley, Gus, and George. The Funeral Mass will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Bechyne, rural Lankin, ND, on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at the Church on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will be in the Church Cemetery. Dean Latozke, age 71, passed away on May 19, 2022. Dean was the first-born child to Arthur and Muriel (Keena) Latozke on August 31, 1950. Dean attended Bruce Community School and graduated from Neche High School. He then attended college at Wahpeton, ND. On March 2, 1970, Dean was inducted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Gelnhausen, Germany, until his discharge on January 10, 1972. Dean’s Army buddy, Dean and wife Kaye Hall, have remained close friends throughout the years. Dean then worked at Motor Coach Industries in Pembina, ND for over 40 years. Dean married Mary Ellen (Enerson) Hughes on July 5, 1980. They lived and farmed in rural Neche, ND. In 2018, Dean and Mary moved to Cavalier, ND. After retirement, Dean kept busy being the “go-to” hand rather than the farmer. Dean’s greatest joy was becoming a grandpa to Mallory Grace and Calvin Dean. They would wait most days for grandpa to come and do chores at the farm—feed and water the cats, horses, dog, water the garden and trees, ride the Ranger. There is not a vehicle on the farm that they didn’t pretend drive with grandpa. He enjoyed other things such as the farm, the annual Labor Day weekend at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, MN, and the Cenex Crew’s $5 Fridays. Dean was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Latozke. He is survived by his mother, Muriel Latozke; his wife Mary Ellen; son Dean (Alisha); grandchildren Mallory and Calvin Latozke; and step-son, James Hughes. His siblings include Larry Latozke (Sandy), Margaret, Mary, and Trudy. A visitation will be held at Askew Funeral Home on Monday, May 23, from 5:00-6:30pm. Funeral service will be held at the Cavalier Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, May 24, at 10:30 am. Jody R. Flores, age 48 of Grafton, ND passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN. A memorial service will be Monday, May 9, 2022 at 1:45 at the All Faith’s Chapel of Grafton. A visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Inurnment will be at the Grafton City Cemetery at a later date. Funeral Services for Sandra will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake ND with Reverend Reuben Schnaidt officiating. Lunch will follow the services. Interment will be at the Bloomfield Cemetery, rural Upham ND on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 3:30 pm with lunch to follow at the Rodney Lunde farm. Sandra Gillander Lunde, 79, passed away 12/21/21. She was the oldest child of Wallace and Mae (Osterberg) Gillander. She was born on September 30, 1942 in Hartford, CT. She moved with her parents to Montpelier, VT in 1947. She graduated from Montpelier High School in 1960. She then attended the University of Connecticut and graduated with a Bachelors in Physical Therapy in 1964. Sandi also received her Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of North Dakota in 1993. Sandi worked as a Physical Therapist at Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, NH, Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND and in 1970 established the Physical Therapy Department at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. Sandi retired from Mercy Hospital in November 2007. Sandi married Richard Oliver Lunde on April 16, 1966 in Montpelier, VT. Richard and Sandi moved to Minot, ND and started a family having a daughter Lisa Kay. In 1970, they moved to Devils Lake, ND and had a second daughter Sharon Ann. They made their home in Devils Lake. In 2008, they purchased a home in Phoenix, AZ spending winters there. Sandi was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, WELCA, served on the Board of Deacons and was Council President. She was a member in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was an avid collector of antiques and collectibles. Her collections included egg cups, spooners and ruby and forest green depression glass. Sandi was an accordion player and enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family. Sandi is survived by her husband Richard of 55 years; daughters Lisa Lunde, Ft. Yates, ND and Sharon (William) St. Peter, Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren Maia (David) Lunde Cockerham, Grand Forks, ND, Gillian Lunde, Ft. Yates, ND and Cassandra and Nicholas St. Peter, Maple Grove, MN; sister Karen (Chuck Acebo) Gordon, Barre, VT; sisters-in-law Ilene Gillander, Barre VT, and Elaine (Einar) Einarson, Grand Forks, ND; brothers-in-law Roger (Linda) Lunde, Forman, ND, Rodney Lunde, Upham ND, Dennis (Diane) Lunde, Carefree, AZ, and David (Mary) Lunde, Towner, ND; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Sandi was preceded in death by her parents Wallace and Mae (Osterberg) Gillander, father and mother in-law Oliver and Ellen (Westford) Lunde, brother George Gillander, brother-in-law Drew Gordon, great nephew Drew Bernier and sister-in-law Bonnie Lunde. Funeral Services for Sandra will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake ND with Reverend Reuben Schnaidt officiating. Lunch will follow the services. Interment will be at the Bloomfield Cemetery, rural Upham ND on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 3:30 pm with lunch to follow at the Rodney Lunde farm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, ND. |
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