Born ‎9 Oct 1940 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died ‎29 Jul 2017 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota‎, age 76 years, buried West Union, Todd County, Minnesota
Ellen Bentfield
BORN: October 9, 1940
DIED: July 29, 2017
LOCATION: Sauk Centre, Minnesota

Ellen Bentfield, age 76 of Sauk Centre passed into her new life early Saturday, July 29, 2017 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, MN.

Ellen Marie Gaffaney was born on October 9, 1940 in Glenwood, MN to James and Elsie (Sellgren) Gaffaney. She was one of thirteen children born to this union. Ellen graduated from Glenwood High School. She worked in the Twin Cities for a few years at an insurance agency. On April 26, 1969 Ellen was united in marriage with Vernon Bentfield. They farmed south of Osakis in Douglas County and raised their family. She helped as a cook at Mary's Café in Osakis for a time and also worked for Kadejan, Inc. in Glenwood. When she took a job as a rep for Service 800, Ellen was happy to be able to work from her home and worked until her retirement in 2008. They are members of St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union and Ellen belonged to the Christian Mothers.

As a busy wife and mother, when Ellen had time for herself, she enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading and crocheting. She made many beautiful projects to share with her family and friends. She was a wonderful cook who spoiled her family with a variety of homemade cakes and cookies. Ellen enjoyed playing bingo and doing jigsaw puzzles, but her favorite activity was spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister who will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Vernon of Sauk Centre; children, Connie Bentfield Enge of Shakopee, Cindy (Ken Stenzel) Bentfield of Water Valley, TX, Judy (Bob) Mattson of Glenwood, Karen Bentfield of Osakis, Ronald (Lori) Bentfield of Sauk Centre, Nancy (Andrew) Pint of Belle Plaine; grandchildren Emily and Rachel (Connie), Johanna, John, Brandon and Brentley (Karen), John (Ron and Lori), Katie and Karie (Judy and Bob) and 5 great grandchildren; siblings, Catherine (Norbert) Becker of Mesa, AZ, Polly Balko of Minneapolis, Donna Eddy of Zimmerman, Michael (Paula) Gaffaney of Big Lake, Patrick (Elaine) Gaffaney of Thief River Falls, Peter Gaffaney of Duluth and Paul (Wanda) Gaffaney of New Mexico; many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, an infant daughter, siblings, Janet (Roland) Belisle, Betty (Roy) Mott, Mary Zenzen, Thomas Gaffaney and Robert (Floren) Gaffaney.

The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the staff at St. Michael's Care Center in Sauk Centre. Ellen shared many stories of the staff, residents and activities she enjoyed during her stay with them. Special thanks to each of the individuals who made a special connection with Ellen and brought her joy.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 11:00 am at St. Alexius Church in West Union with Fr. Kumar Sudhansu and Fr. Andrew Marthaler. Inurnment at the church cemetery. Visitation is at the church beginning at 9 am on Saturday.

Born ‎10 Mar 1938 Orange Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, died ‎22 Oct 2022 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota‎, age 84 years, buried West Union, Todd County, Minnesota
Connie is not Vernon's child. She was born in Hennepin County. Another child may be her full sibling, according to Lyn. This would be Roy DeGidio, who was adopted and who was born in Hennepin County, May 1964. He shows up on MyHeritage as a 1C1R to David Gaffaney. In 2018 he lives in Fridley, Minnesota, according to Facebook.

Lyn taught Connie at Osakis in the 1970s. Lyn said that Connie was very bright among a class of bright kids. Sr. Giles, the principal, once said to Lyn, "I would expect at some time that Connie could look up her sibling." So the other child was not a secret.

Kathy Strunc says, "Lynn Gaffaney told us Connie's father is Arnold Roy Moe of Glenwood. She may be aware that Ellen had another child. In teresting this cousin's name is Roy. Lynn said Arnold was a friend of her dad [Bob Gaffaney was also born in 1943 and they were probably school classmates]. He was born in 1943. He got married in Nov. 1966 and he and his wife had about six children."

Arnold Roy was born 25 Mar 1943 in Pope County to Roy and Rosalie Moe. He married Eileen Cecelia Schmieg 6 Nov 1966 in Hennepin County. She was born about 1939. Arnold and Eileen Moe had six kids, the first in Hennepin County in October of 1967 and the remaining 5 in Pope County, the last in 1977. Three boys and three girls.


Vernon J. Bentfield, age 84 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at his home in Orange Township, Douglas County, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 29 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union with Rev. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Vernon John Bentfield was born March 10, 1938 in Orange Township, Douglas County, Minnesota to John and Leona (Ebensteiner) Bentfield. Vernon was a brick layer from the time he graduated from Morris in 1958 until 1970. He was united in marriage to Ellen Gaffaney on April 26, 1969 in Glenwood, Minnesota. Vernon took over the family farm in the spring of 1970. His farm is where he worked, raised his family, and enjoyed his life until his retirement from milking cows in 2006. Vernon then enjoyed raising birds and other animals as well as farming the land with his son, and helping his daughter, Karen, on her farm. He took great pride in passing his knowledge of farming to his grandsons, Big John Boogaard, Little John Bentfield, and Joey Bentfield.

He was a member of St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union, Queen of Peace General Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph's Society, served on the St. Agnes School board for three years, and was a member of the Bricklayers Union Local 13 his entire life. In his younger years, Vernon enjoyed square dancing with Ellen. His greatest hobby in the last few years was watching YouTube farming videos with his pride and joy, John and Joey. He was the best babysitter John and Joey could ever have, he truly enjoyed watching them.

Survivors include his children, Connie Bentfield Enge of Phoenix, Arizona, Cindy (Ken Stenzel) Bentfield of Water Valley, Texas, Judy (Bob) Mattson of Glenwood, Karen Bentfield of Osakis, Ronald (Lori) Bentfield of Sauk Centre, and Nancy (Andrew) Pint of Belle Plaine; 11 grandchildren, Emily, Rachel, Johanna, John, Brandon, Brentley, John, Joseph, Nolan, Katie, and Karie; seven great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, Marvin Bentfield of Denver, Colorado; and sisters, Beatrice Monn of St. Cloud, Merina (Victor) Odegard of Sauk Centre, Rita (John) Hacker of Royalton, and Linda (Clarence) Dirkes of Sauk Centre;

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Bentfield on July 29, 2017; parents; an infant daughter; brother, Raymond Bentfield; and sisters-in-law, Jeanne Bentfield and Lois Bentfield.

A special thank you to his sister, Linda, for all the time she spent with Vernon in his final weeks and to Freddy Walter and Steven Mages for the music for the Mass.