Vernon J. Bennett

Vernon Jacob Bennett, 83, of Calvin, ND formerly of Walhalla ND, passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Wedgewood Manor, Cavalier, ND.
Vernon was born February 8, 1929 at Tuttle, ND, the son of John "Jake" and Mary (Steidl) Bennett. He grew up in Tuttle before moving to Vang, ND as a teen. On October 28, 1950, he married (Olive) Christine Hiller. The couple lived and farmed near Vang. Together they raised six children, Cheryl (Sidney) Brandt of Walhalla, ND; Ronald (Lauri) Bennett of Calvin, ND; Sandra Bennett of Grafton, ND; Susan (Charles) Hoggarth of Audubon, MN; Lorry (Tammy) Bennett of Calvin, ND; and Holly Bennett of Grafton, ND.
Vernon and his wife Christine owned and operated the Walla Lanes bowling alley in Walhalla. He was involved in the Walhalla Lions Club and a member of the Walhalla School Board. After his wife passed away in November of 1984, Vernon relocated to Colorado Springs, CO where he worked as a contractor/carpenter.
In 1987, he married Donna Gunnarson in Las Vegas, NV and they resided in Colorado Springs for several years. Vernon and Donna moved back to Pembina, ND and then Lancaster, MN, where they retired.
Vernon's hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, spending time with family, and cheering for the Minnesota Twins.
Survivors include his six children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his first wife Christine; two infant daughters, Sheila and Vicki; brothers Peter Bennett and Leon Bennett; grandson Daniel Bennett; and granddaughter Maisie Bennett.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Walhalla Lutheran Church, Walhalla. Burial will be at Vang Cemetery, Vang, ND.
Clergy: Rev. Don Swenson
Music: Sharon Siberg, Accompanist, Sid Brandt, Soloist, Shannon Davidson and Christine Hoggarth, Vocalists, and Border Harmony
Honorary Pallbearers: All of Vernon's Family and Friends