Bennet Jacobson, age 96 of Twin Valley, MN, died on Wednesday March 12, 2008.

Bennet Herlef was born May 25, 1911, in Freeborn County, MN, to Nils and Tilda (Dahlen) Jacobson. He grew up and attended country school in Freeborn County until the age of 13, when he moved with his family to the Fertile, MN, area. As a young man, Bennet helped on the family farm often cutting wood with his brothers. On November 6, 1937, Bennet was united in marriage to Gladys Hanson at the Lutheran Parsonage in Fertile. The couple farmed near Fertile until 1943 and later that year they purchased a farm near Twin Valley where they made their home and continued to farm. In the early 1950?s, Gladys and Bennet moved to Hibbing, MN, for one year where he worked in the Iron mines. Upon returning to the Twin Valley farm, Bennet also began working as a Custodian at the Twin Valley School. After 20 years at the school, Bennet retired in 1974. Bennet continued to live on the farm until December of 2007, when he moved into the Twin Valley Living Center for the winter.

Even in retirement, Bennet kept busy. He enjoyed helping his son, Harlen, in the fields, being outdoors, tinkering in his shop or sharpening chain saw blades for neighbors. Bennet could often be found in his shop working on one of his many woodworking projects or refinishing old furniture. Even though all of these hobbies kept him busy, Bennet always had time to visit. He loved talking with friends and family, occasionally in Norwegian, and talking about the good old days.

Bennet is survived by one son, Harlen (Elaine) of Twin Valley; two daughters, Judy Sites of Twin Valley and Kathy (Steve) Borgen of Grand Forks, ND; one son-in-law, Carmen Dahl of Gary, MN; 13 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Gladys, Bennet is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Beverly Dahl; son-in-law, LaVerne Sites; five brothers and three sisters.