Sherry A. Bennes

Sherry A. Bennes, 61, of Devils Lake formerly of Leeds, ND died on Monday, May 12, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Funeral Services for Sherry will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Harold Ovre officiating. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a time of remembrance and sharing at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Honorary Bearers are all of Sherry’s dear family and friends. Music will be provided by Russell Pearson and JoDee Lagein Sherry was born on September 3, 1946 at Rugby, ND the daughter of John and Norma (Thurston) Alexander. She was raised and educated in Leeds, graduating from Leeds High School in the class of 1964. She graduated from the Town and Country School of Hair Design in Jamestown in August of 1965. Sherry was united in marriage to Rodney Bennes on September 19, 1965 at Leeds. They lived a short time in Jamestown, then moved to Bismarck. While living in Bismarck, Sherry worked at St. Alexis Medical Center. In the spring of 1970, they moved to Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family. Sherry was employed at the Lake Region Lutheran Home and also the Devils Lake Post Office. Sherry was forced to retire from the workforce in the early 1990’s due to failing health. Sherry had several pastimes but always looked forward to playing board games with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed “Pictionary”. Even though she wasn’t always good at playing the game, she was always a good sport, win or lose. Sherry’s greatest love and greatest joy was spending time with her family and “spoiling” her grandchildren. Sherry’s life was too brief, but the love and devotion for her family and the strength and courage she had in all her hardships are an inspiration that we will treasure always in our hearts. You will be forever missed and forever in our hearts. Sherry is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 42 years, Rodney; her son, Brian and his wife, Nichol of Walcott, ND; daughters, Melinda Bennes of Devils Lake; Melanie Bennes also of Devils Lake and her fiancé, Devin Long of Fessenden, ND Grandchildren: Ashley Bennes, Kody Bennes, Brynley Long and step grandson, Tanner Nicholls. Her mother, Norma Alexander of Devils Lake Brothers and Sisters: Larry Alexander of Leeds, ND; Faye (Dale) Halle of Devils Lake; Kevin (Jeri) Alexander also of Leeds and Norma “Bunny” Alexander of Missoula, Montana. Sisters-In-Law: Gloria Keller of Lansford, ND Merle (Walter) Schmidt of Williston, ND Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. She was preceded in death by her father, John Alexander; brother, Tom Alexander and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Burton and Olga Bennes.