Constance "Connie" Bennefeld, 68, of Gary, MN, died Sunday, September 7, 2014, in Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND.

Connie Faye Hagy was born November 22, 1945, the daughter of Francis and Helen (Broers) Hagy in Ada, MN. She was raised on her parent's farm east of Gary and was baptized and confirmed at Ness Lutheran Church near Gary. Connie attended school in Gary where she graduated from Gary High School with the class of 1963. On December 8, 1963, Connie was united in marriage to Dean Bennefeld at Ness Lutheran Church. The couple made their home near Gary where they spent their entire married life. In 1978, Connie began her employment with American Crystal Sugar in Crookston in the maintenance department. She continued her employment there until her retirement in 2008.

Connie was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and over the years, she enjoyed participating in her ladies aide group. Some of her favorite pastimes included gardening, playing cards and baking, especially making sugar cookies. Connie loved shopping and her family will always remember the tradition she made of shopping on "Black Friday", which those who went, especially looked forward to.

Connie is survived by her husband, Dean of Gary; sons, Roger (Rhonda) Bennefeld and Jason "JB" (Wendy) Bennefeld all of Gary, and Kevin Bennefeld of New Rockford, ND; daughters, Julie (Danny) Martinson of Fargo, ND and Kathy (Stacy) Schultz of Bismarck, ND; brothers: Craig (Joyce) Hagy of Moorhead, MN, Bruce Hagy, Mark (Cheryl) Hagy and Michael Hagy all of Gary; sisters: Carol Kalinoski, Denise (Bruce) Griewe and Dawn (Roger) Lee all of Gary; 20 grandchildren; one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Brittany.

Funeral Services were held on Friday, September 12, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Ada. Visitation was Thursday, September 11th from 5-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Officiating was Pastor Dean Bell with Mary Ann Bell serving as organist and special music provided by Dee Dee Grieve and Kevin Jensen. Pallbearers were Evan Bennefeld, Gabriel Bennefeld, Taylor Bennefeld, Tyler Bennefeld, Jake Schultz and Matthew Lee.

Burial was in Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary.