Vernon Bentfield

Vernon J. Bentfield, age 84 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at his home in Orange Township, Douglas County, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 29 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union with Rev. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Vernon John Bentfield was born March 10, 1938 in Orange Township, Douglas County, Minnesota to John and Leona (Ebensteiner) Bentfield. Vernon was a brick layer from the time he graduated from Morris in 1958 until 1970. He was united in marriage to Ellen Gaffaney on April 26, 1969 in Glenwood, Minnesota. Vernon took over the family farm in the spring of 1970. His farm is where he worked, raised his family, and enjoyed his life until his retirement from milking cows in 2006. Vernon then enjoyed raising birds and other animals as well as farming the land with his son, and helping his daughter, Karen, on her farm. He took great pride in passing his knowledge of farming to his grandsons, Big John Boogaard, Little John Bentfield, and Joey Bentfield.

He was a member of St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union, Queen of Peace General Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s Society, served on the St. Agnes School board for three years, and was a member of the Bricklayers Union Local 13 his entire life. In his younger years, Vernon enjoyed square dancing with Ellen. His greatest hobby in the last few years was watching YouTube farming videos with his pride and joy, John and Joey. He was the best babysitter John and Joey could ever have, he truly enjoyed watching them.

Survivors include his children, Connie Bentfield Enge of Phoenix, Arizona, Cindy (Ken Stenzel) Bentfield of Water Valley, Texas, Judy (Bob) Mattson of Glenwood, Karen Bentfield of Osakis, Ronald (Lori) Bentfield of Sauk Centre, and Nancy (Andrew) Pint of Belle Plaine; 11 grandchildren, Emily, Rachel, Johanna, John, Brandon, Brentley, John, Joseph, Nolan, Katie, and Karie; seven great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, Marvin Bentfield of Denver, Colorado; and sisters, Beatrice Monn of St. Cloud, Merina (Victor) Odegard of Sauk Centre, Rita (John) Hacker of Royalton, and Linda (Clarence) Dirkes of Sauk Centre;

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Bentfield on July 29, 2017; parents; an infant daughter; brother, Raymond Bentfield; and sisters-in-law, Jeanne Bentfield and Lois Bentfield.

A special thank you to his sister, Linda, for all the time she spent with Vernon in his final weeks and to Freddy Walter and Steven Mages for the music for the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.