Memorial services will be Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at the Crawford Community Building in Crawford, NE at 10:00 am with Pastor Marsha Stauss officiating. Burial will be at the Crawford Cemetery. By Bennie’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.
Bennie Eugene Ward, age 86, from Crawford, NE died on June 27, 2013 at the Ponderosa Villa Nursing Home in Crawford, NE.
Bennie was born February 20, 1927 to Benjamin and Olive (Benjamin) Ward in Alliance, NE. He moved with his parents and siblings, to the farm at Deep Creek Road near Crawford, NE in 1937 where he grew up. He married Bessie Caswell on March 20, 1952 in Chadron, NE. Together they lived on the farm and raised their family, of four daughters, Dorothy (Tom) Rowe of Hemingford, NE, Mary (LeRoy) Adamson of Alliance, NE, Irene Sauder of Crawford, NE and Alice (Terry) Robbins of Alliance, NE, one son, Robert (Shelia) Ward of Concord, CA. They lived on the family farm until 1995 and then relocated to Glendy Rd, near Crawford, NE.
Bennie did custom haying in the Crawford area for many years, and was a member of the Eagles Club. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, and Huskers football. He was an avid fan of high school wrestling while his son, Robert was growing up and continued for many years after Robert had graduated.
The thing he loved most was family get-togethers with his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and even some kids that weren’t related by blood, but by Love. He really enjoyed the annual family camping trip to Box Butte Dam, The birthday celebrations with homemade ice cream and angel food cake, sharing fish stories and trading a few fishing lures, family reunions, and just watching the little ones grow up.
Bennie is survived by his wife Bessie, of the home; his daughters and their husbands; his son and daughter-in-law; 12 grandchildren, Ben (Lee ) Rowe, Elizabeth Rowe (Karl) Zerck, Josh Adamson and fiancé Tara, Tabbott (Cami) Sauder, Travis Sauder and friend Elizabeth, Wade (Terra) Robbins, Todd Robbins and fiancé Angie, Jesse (Liberty) Robbins, Tisha Robbins and fiancé DJ , Candace Ward (Victor) Torres, Britta Ward and fiancé Carlos, Rory Ward and Elana; 18 great grandchildren, 9 step-great grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren on the way, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, John and Dorothy (Cullers) Caswell; Brother Arthur “Bub” and Jane Ward; Sisters Edna and Roy Mansfield, Betty Lou and Don Smith, and one great granddaughter, Angelina Sauder.
Memorials may be given to the Crawford Rescue Unit and Ponderosa Villa Nursing Home. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337
Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford is in charge of arrangements.