Ival Bennes, century-long resident of the Fertile area passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at Fairview Nursing Home. Services will be Monday, May 24, 2010 at Little Norway Church at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Erikson Vik Funeral Home in Fertile with prayer services at 7:00 pm.
Ival Signor Bennes was born January 12, 1910 in rural Fertile. He was the son of Bernt and Marget (Nesset) Bennes. He attended Lake View Rural School near his home and was confirmed at Little Norway Church.
He married Wanda Fuglseth, June 30, 1943 in Fertile. He farmed in the area for many years. He also worked at the Sugar Beet plant several winters, the Crookston Cattle Ranch as a hired hand, Sand Hill Gravel Pit, did various trucking jobs, graded roads and custom silage chopping. He was always willing to assist neighbors with all kinds of farming activities in their time of need. He retired in Fertile and lived in his own home until his 100th birthday. He enjoyed rides in the country, around town and to the Polk County Fair grounds. Ival and his dog, Mr. Bennes, were seen around town daily on his golf cart – weather permitting.
Ival enjoyed music and dancing, especially the Lawrence Welk Show, learning to play the piano by ear. He enjoyed woodworking and his grandchildren have many treasured pieces of his craftsmanship. Ival was inventive and mechanical, always figuring out away to fix it or make it work. He was quiet, patient, loving, kind hearted and easy going, usually saying he was doing "just fine". Ival was always proud of his Norwegian heritage and its food, especially Lutefisk. He was still cooking, baking bread and cookies until his tender age of 100. He was a long time member of Little Norway Church and a good friend to many. Highlights for his last year were riding in the 4th of July parade as the oldest member of his church, having January 12, 2010 declared a day in his honor in Fertile, and receiving a call from relatives in Norway on his birthday.
Ival loved his children, grandchildren and his extended family. He was very interested in his grandchildrens activities and proud of their accomplishments, and they held a special place in his heart.
Ival is survived by his children, Byron (Justine Billing) of Bismarck, ND and their children, Matthew and Amanda, Sharon (Jim Burkholder) of Thief River Falls, MN, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his extended family Jackie (Jenni) Storie, Superior, WI, David Jenni (friend Linda), Mpls, MN, Dan Menke (Friend Lucy), Moorhead, MN, Stephen (Natalie) Menke, Hibbing, MN, Maxine-Micki (Greg) Newhouse, Crookston, MN and Karla (Dale) Broughton, White Bear Lake, MN and extended grandchildren of 14, great-grandchildren of 8 and gr-greatchildren of 2 and his little dog, Mr. Bennes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Wanda, his brothers Melvin, Henry, Edwin, his sisters Mable, Selma (Solheim) Bennes, Alida (Solheim) Kaste and his long time friend, Jeanette Menke. Ival had a long interesting life and he will be truly missed and lovingly remembered by all those he touched.

Funeral services will be on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 1 PM in the Little Norway Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, MN.
Visitation will be on Sunday, May 23, 2010, from 5-7 PM with a prayer services at 7 PM in the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.
Burial will be in the Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Erikson-Vik Funeral Home
Fertile, MN
www.eriksonvikfh.com
Pastor Carl Hansen, Officiating
Lucille Fuglseth, Organist

Congregational Hymns
#779 "Amazing Grace"
#838 "Beautiful Savior"
#856 "How Great Thou Art"

Pallbearers
Jim Larson Don Larson
Carsten Hovland Matthew Bennes
Steven Menke Dan Menke