Bennie Oberlander, 86, New England died on Tuesday, February 18, 2003, at West River Regional Medical Center, Hettinger. Funeral services are 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2003, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, New England, with Rev. Donna Dohrmann, officiating. Interment will be in Our Redeemer's Cemetery, New England. Visitation will be at Price-Murphy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be a public prayer service at the church on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the service.

Bennie Oblerlander was born on March 1, 1916, near Havelock, North Dakota to Fred and Carolina (Kaseman) Oberlander. He attended school at Tepee Butte. He joined the C.C.C and served in Medora. On November 15, 1940, he married Donelda Wieland at Wibaux, Mont. They spent the early years of their marriage raising their children and farming in the Reeder community. They moved to New England in 1972 and remained there until the time his death. He was a member of the Reeder Lions, he served on the council of Whetstone Church and school board and Our Saviors Church in Reeder and is a present member of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in New England. He enjoyed visiting, traveling, spending time with family and friends and interesting gadgets and laughing.

Bennie is survived by: his wife, Donelda, New England; three sons; Dean (Lena), Gillette, Wyo., Don (Rosemary), Huron, SD, Jack (Pam) Oberlander, Fargo, ND; two daughters, Janine Haug, Bismarck, ND, LaNell (Les) Honeyman, Midland, TX; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harry (Vaudeth), Oberlander, Rapid City, SD, Adam (Clara) Oberlander, Regent, ND; five sisters, Ida Sprecher, Mott, ND, Tillie Rosenow, Hettinger, ND, Betty Ruggles, Scranton, ND, Helen (Harvey) Green, Mott, ND, Lorraine (Bill) Buckner, Easton, MD and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; three sisters, Rose Hoffer, Elsie Johnson and Pauline Schwartz; two brothers, Fred and Edward Oberlander and one granddaughter, Melanie Honeyman.