Kermit Stanley Bendickson

Kermit Stanley Bendickson was born October 25, 1926 in Bossko Township, South Dakota, the fourth child of Bernt and Elise (Throndson) Bendickson. The family lived on the farm west of Sisseton and Kermit attended the local one room school with his siblings. Kermit was inducted into the army January 1951 and received an honorable discharge November 1952. While serving in Korea, he began corresponding with Marian Larson whose name a friend had passed along to him. Upon his return from service, he went home to South Dakota but soon made his way to Minneapolis to look for both work and the woman he'd met through the letters they shared. They married on October 20, 1953. Two years later, they welcomed their first son, Wayne Gobel Bendickson into their family. Over the years, Wayne was joined by Alice Elise, Donald Allen, Shirley Ann, David Brent and Sandra Jean Bendickson. Kermit and his family lived in Minneapolis. He worked for several different companies before finding a position with the Minneapolis Water Department. He worked for the water department for 30 years, retiring in 1996. Kermit took great joy playing jokes on people and sharing the mind-teaser puzzles he made and gave away. Over the years, his little tricks have elicited numerous screams but even more laughs. Even in the hospital, other patients and their families got a good laugh from his sense of humor and his "candy" box. One could always count on Kermit to lend a helping hand where needed. He fixed all manner of machines and bicycles for family and neighbors. He mowed lawns and shoveled sidewalks. When someone needed him, he was there. Kermit passed away Monday September 20th at the North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN. at the age of 83 years. Kermit was preceded in death by his son, Wayne; his parents, Bernt and Elise Bendickson; his siblings Christine Dempsey, Cora Dempsey, Theodore Bendickson, Milton Bendickson and Bernice Nelson. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marian Hillive (Larson) Bendickson; children Alice Countryman, Donald Bendickson, Shirley Bendickson, David (Katie Moynagh), and Sandra Bendickson (Mike Marvin); grandchildren Jennifer Crest (Greg), James Countryman, Joan Countryman, Amanda Summers, Adam Bendickson, and Thomas Bendickson; and many other family members and friends. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday (9/25/2010) at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City with a time of visitation and reviewal Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Olson Chapel in Rush City and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on saturday. The interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery east of Rush City.