Month: January 2021

Ashley Lynn Caccia, age 40, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully into the Lords hands on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at her home.

Ashley was born on July 11, 1980, and at 10 days old became the daughter of James Caccia and Diane Lewis. She was born in New York and raised in Bemidji, MN, and moved to Eagle’s Nest in Crookston, MN, in 1997, where she lived for the rest of her life.  She loved spending time with family and loved even more to talk to them over the phone.  She loved the staff at Eagle’s Nest like family and was treated like family by all!!  She attended the DAC in Crookston, MN, until she had to retire in January of 2019 due to her health.  Ashley had Cri-du-chat syndrome and was not expected to live beyond childhood.  She didn’t have disabilities she had different abilities and she didn’t let the things she couldn’t do get her down.   She was a spirited young woman who loved music of any genre, dancing, picking flowers.  She always wanted to have her hair, nails and makeup done just right and dressed nicely.

Ashley is survived by her father, James (Kay) Caccia of Bagley, MN; mother, Diane Lewis of Bemidji, MN; brothers, Bob, Scott, Michael, and Dustin; sisters, Kelly, Alyssa, Elizabeth, and Sky-Marie (Jake); her Eagle’s Nest family, Brian, Carly, James, Kim, Tanya, Jolene, Michelle, and Brooke and her grandparents Roger and Maryann Lewis.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Merico “Jim” and Marge Caccia.

A memorial celebrating Ashley’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, MN, with a time of visitation one hour before the service.  Father Vincent Miller will officiate.

Online Guestbook:  www.stenshoelhouske.com

Arrangements entrusted to Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home of Crookston, MN.

Berneil “Bonnie” Carrie Nelson, 95, of Crookston, MN, passed away Monday, December 21, 2020, at the home of her niece, Becky Rickert, and husband, Ted, in Brownton, MN, where she had been being cared for since September 1^st.

Berneil Carrie Nelson was born on January 8, 1925, in Hallock, MN to Victor and Edith (Nelson) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Red River Lutheran Church, Hallock, raised on the family farm and graduated from high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston in 1942/Advanced Class of 1943. Berneil began working at the Northwest School in the fall of 1943, starting as a secretary to the registrar and then as assistant librarian until 1966. That year marked a change in mission as the campus became affiliated with the University of Minnesota. She continued on in her new role as an assistant librarian for Learning Resources until her retirement in 1990 after 47 years of service to the Northwest School and University of Minnesota. She continued to be a wealth of information to the University as she updated the Alumni Relations office with news, happenings, and passings of alumni to be recorded in the Torch magazine. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the two schools she so proudly devoted her life to, Berneil received the NWSA “Top Aggie” award in 1974; the UMC Torch & Shield Award in 1981, which is the highest award an individual can receive from the University; and the University of Minnesota Crookston Champions Club Award in 2005. Berneil was very involved with the Northwest School Alumni Association, serving for over 24 years on the Board, as well as, many more years as an ex officio member. During the annual NWSA reunions held on Campus alumni would arrive and their very first words were always “Is Berneil here?” As she manned her usual post at the registration table each alumnus would receive a big smile and the warmest of greetings as she caught up with what was going on in their lives. At the 2017 reunion, Berneil was presented the NWSA Alumni “One of a Kind” Award and a $1000.00 annual UMC scholarship was established in her name by the Heritage Scholarship Fund. The prestigious award was prefaced by remarks praising her continuous years of support and dedication to the NWSA and the University of Minnesota and always being the bright and shining light that everyone looks forward to seeing; making Berneil truly “One of a Kind.”

Berneil was a devoted member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and served as church librarian from before 1972 through December of 2015. She also actively participated in WELCA, the Martha Guild as chairperson, and the ‘Friendly Visitors’ program when it first began. In her younger years, Berneil enjoyed bowling in a local ladies’ league. In retirement her passions included reading, embroidering, attending Senior events, visiting with family, and as an avid fan, watching the Twins and Vikings games. Berneil was a much-loved sister, aunt, and friend, and will be sadly missed by all who were a part of her life.

Berneil is survived by 2 nieces, Peggy (Paul) Anderson of Shakopee, MN, and Becky (Ted) Rickert of Brownton, MN; 2 nephews, Gary (Carmen) Flowers and Douglas Flowers of Litchfield, MN; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Edith Nelson; and beloved sister and brother-in-law, Vicki and Bernard Flowers. Treasured be the memory of Berneil “Bonnie” Carrie Nelson.

The funeral service honoring the life of Berneil Nelson will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, April 24, 2021, in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, MN with The Rev. Greg Isaacson, officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. The funeral will be live-streamed for off-site viewing by going to www.stenshoelhouske.com 5 minutes before the start, then to Berneil’s obituary where a prompt will appear to view the service. Additionally, it will be recorded and may be watched again for up to a year. Burial will follow in the family plot at Red River Cemetery, rural Kennedy, MN.

Online registry and condolences may be made at   www.stenshoelhouske.com

James “Jim” C. Bennefeld, 89 of Ada, Minnesota, left this world to meet the Lord on January 1^st, 2021, after his courageous battle with cancer the past two years surrounded by family.

James Chester Bennefeld was born May 4, 1931, to Anthony (Tony) Bennefeld and Sara (Theis) Bennefeld in Green Meadow Township near Ada.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Green Meadow Township.  One evening, at a community dance in Gary, Minnesota, James met Lillian Dahl.  They danced together for the first time that evening and never looked back.  They were married on October 11^th, 1952.

James served his country by enlisting in the Army.  He and Lillian spent some of his military time in Austria before returning to Minnesota after his honorable discharge in 1955.  After working around the community at different jobs, James went to work for the US Postal Service in Ada and retired from there in 1999.  He continued to stay busy helping Vincent and Janet Nelson and later his niece and nephew Lorraine and John Jossund doing seasonal farm work for the last 30 years.   He was an active member at Zion Lutheran Church in Ada and mowed and did yard maintenance with fellow members of the congregation.  He was active in the local VFW Post 7557, and served as Post Commander for a year.  James was also a life member of the Ada American Legion Post and a proud veteran having served his country.  He was well known for spring tilling for local gardeners in and around the Ada area.  Anybody who knew James also knew how much he enjoyed his John Deere tractors and made sure all was in tip-top shape before using.

After fighting and winning several bouts with various cancers, James was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in summer 2018.  He successfully beat cancer after treatments only to have it return in November 2019.  He stayed at home with the help of Hospice of the Red River Valley and was cared for by Lillian until his passing.  He is survived by his loving and caring wife Lillian, who was by his side for their 68 years of marriage.  He was always interested and supportive in all the lives of his children and grandchildren.  His children are son, Greg (Judy), Valley City, ND, daughter, Diane (Keith) Gade, Ada, MN, and son Jerome, Muncie, IN. His grandchildren are Joshua (Kristy) Gade and his family from Rapid City, SD, Jerry (Kelly) Bennefeld and his family of Valley City, ND, Tami (Mark) Wirtz and her family, Rapid City, SD,  Rebecca Bennefeld, her heavenly home, Kimberly Gade, Ada, MN, Ashley Bennefeld in Layton, UT, and special friends Kevin and Janis Jensen of Gary.  He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Rebecca Bennefeld.

Funeral: 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church, Ada, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. All must wear a mask to attend.

Visitation: A walk through visitation on Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the church.

Interment with full military rites: Ada City Cemetery, Ada, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com

Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes
Ada, Minnesota (218-784-4600)