James “Jim” R. Benage

Obituary

James “Jim” Richard Benage was born on July 14, 1936, in Clarkfield, Minnesota. He was the son of George and Annie (Hatlen) Benage. Jim was baptized as an infant on April 2, 1937, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 7, 1950, at Spring Creek Lutheran Church in Clarkfield. He was the sixth of twelve children. Jim attended schools in Clarkfield, Woodlake, and graduated from Danube High School in 1954.

Jim entered active military service in the United States Army on August 27, 1954, and was stationed in Germany for 30 months. He was honorably discharged on August 7, 1957, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and achieved the rank of Specialist Third Class.

On April 12, 1959, Jim was united in marriage to LauraLea Schroeder at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cedar Mills Township, rural Hutchinson, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Ann, James J., Julie, and Doug. Jim and LauraLea resided in rural Cosmos, Minnesota, before making their home in rural Cedar Mills, Minnesota, on March 1, 1961. They shared 66 years of marriage.

Jim was a lifelong farmer working on the George and Robert Dascher farm of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, for a brief period of time before owning and operating his own dairy farm. After being farmers for 26 years, Jim and LauraLea went on the dairy buy-out in 1986. They rented the land out and Jim became employed at New Dimension Plating, Gold Country Seed, Dahlco Seed, Ace Hardware and Fred’s Pallets. He was a member of St., John’s Lutheran Church, Cedar Mills Township, serving as a President, Deacon, on the school board and other committees.

Jim enjoyed roller skating in his youth, bowling, watching their children’s sporting events, taking trips to Canada to go fishing and traveling worldwide. He especially cherished time spent with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and friends.

Jim passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, at the age of 89 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Jim is survived by his:
Wife, LauraLea Benage of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Ann Zivkovich and her husband, William “Ziggy” of Hutchinson, MN,
James J. “Jim” Benage and his wife, Jodee of Hutchinson, MN,
Julie Carie and her husband, Curtis of Backus, MN;
Daughter-in-law, Paula Johnson of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Russell (Rochelle) Merkins, James (Tricia) Merkins, Andrew Merkins, Jayson Benage, Jordan (Brittany) Benage, Joshua (Ashley) Benage, Brandy (David) Carie-Marrah, Spencer (Jennifer) Carie, Dillynn Benage, Dalton Benage;
Step Grandchild, Abigail Johnson;
21 Great-grandchildren;
3 Great-great-grandchildren;
Brother, George Benage of Janesville, WI;
Sister, Jacqueline Miller and her husband, Charles of Hutchinson, MN;
Sister-in-law, Gayle Benage of TX;
Many other relatives and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his Parents, George and Annie Benage; Son, Douglas Benage; Siblings, Gloria (Milan) Hlavacek, Diana Rose Benage in infancy, Jaunita (Ben) Kloos, Duane (Judy) Benage, Dona (Emil) Chrast, Dexter Benage, Robert (Bonnie) Benage, Tommy (Lynda) Benage, Jeffrey Daryle Benage in infancy; Sister-in-law, Mary Jane Benage.