Bernard Benz

Funeral Services for Bernard ?Bernie? Benz, 74 of Killdeer will be 2:00 p. m. Saturday, August 20, 2005 at St. John?s Lutheran Church in Killdeer with Pastor Aanen Gjovik officiating. Burial will follow in the Dunn Center Cemetery in Dunn Center with Military Rites provided by Ezra Barrows Post #46. Visitation will be Friday, August 19, 2005 from 1:00 p. m. to 5:00 p. m. with a private family prayer service at 7:00 p. m. at Stevenson-Mischel-Olson Chapel in Killdeer. Visitation will continue on Saturday, August 20, 2005 from 8:00 a. m. to 12:00 p. m. at the Chapel. Bernie passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at St. Joseph?s Hospital and Health Center in Dickinson. He was born June 12, 1931 on the family farm north of Dunn Center, the son of Frank and Barbara Unterseher Benz. He grew up and attended Connolly School #2 at Dunn Center. Bernie worked on the farm before entering the Air Force in 1952 at El Paso, TX. After his discharge as a reservist, he was assigned to Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan and Mitchell Air Force Base in NY. Bernie was honorably discharged in 1953. On March 14, 1956 Bernie was married to Peggy Lou Dinkins at Wheaton, MN. They lived in Dunn Center where Bernie was an agent salesman for Standard Oil Company from 1956 to 1970. At that time, they moved to Killdeer where he worked as the agent salesman in Killdeer. In 1980, they purchased the Standard Oil in Killdeer and founded Benz Oil Co. , Inc. They also purchased the Amoco in Arnegard and Watford City which they operated as West River Petroleum Co. until 1986. Bernie retired in 1994. His two sons still operate the business today. Bernie enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards and being with his family. He was instrumental in setting up the 40 & 8 organization for the area. Bernie served as Mayor of Dunn Center and on the town council there. He was a member of the Killdeer City Commission, American Legion Ezra Barrows Post # 46, Killdeer Town Criers, Elks and was a committee member of the Republican Party. Survivors include: his wife, Peggy of Killdeer; two sons: Scott Lane Benz of Killdeer and Mark Len (Dina) Benz of Killdeer; a daughter, Rebecca (Bud) O?Neal of Dickinson; four brothers: Harold (Rosa) Benz of Killdeer, Frank (Joyce) Benz of Loveland, CO, Reuben Benz of Dunn Center and Ernest (Maureen) Benz of Dunn Center; three sisters: Irene Wilhelm of Circle, MT, Elsie Foster of Lancaster, CA and Darlene Weisz of Ankeny, IA; three sister-in-laws: Louise Benz, Bismarck, ND, Ruby Benz of Dunn Center and Leah Benz of Bismarck, ND; five grandchildren: Melissa, Eric, Tara, Alicia and Evan and two great-grandchildren: Kostner and Journey. He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws: Polly and Chesley Dinkins; four brothers: Walter, Alvin, Leo and Henry Benz; a brother-in-law, Hilmer Weisz; and a sister-in-law, Janet Benz.


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Burial Date: August 20, 2005
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral: Saturday, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdee