James “Jim” C. Bennefeld, 89 of Ada, Minnesota, left this world to meet the Lord on January 1st, 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 11th, 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)
