Bernhard "Bennie" Schimmelpfennig, 82, Minot, and formerly of Ruthville, died March 4, 2000 at his home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Bennie was born on March 29, 1917 to Herman and Lydia (Lade) Schimmelpfennig, on his parents farm in Eureka Township, Ward County. He attended Eureka Township Schools and began his Ruthville career as an employee in 1932. He leased the store from William Mackenroth, who named Ruthville after his daughter Ruth, in 1936. He purchased the Ruthville Store in 1938 and was still active in running Ruthville Enterprises. He took over the business because it was simply a matter of "having a job and enjoying what you are doing." The original store just handled groceries and gasoline. He entered the US Army in 1941 and was stationed at Fort Pendleton, Calif. On Sept. 22, 1941, in Minot, he married Marian Lieberg. They lived at Fort Pendleton and Bennie's sister, Esther, ran the store until his discharge. Upon his discharge, the family moved back to Ruthville, and he took over the operation of the store. Significant growth came with the beginning of construction of the Minot Air Force Base in 1955. He developed a new motel and cafe that he named after the new arrivals: Jet Motel and Cafe. He also ran the Ruthville Trailer Park. At one time, Bennie owned everything in Ruthville, except for the Hardy Lieberg Sr. home, Bennie's in-laws, who helped them in the business.
An accomplished carpenter, he repaired all his own appliances and built three homes in Ruthville that his family lived in. He designed the water and sewer system including the lagoon for Ruthville. One of his homes was built with a 16x32 swimming pool designed for year-round use and it was made available to community organizations and groups of young people from the Air Base as well as the surrounding farm area.
Texaco products were sold at his gas station for over 40 years and Texaco honored him with an award for this feat. He later sold the gas station to the Ames family. In 1974, Bennie built the Schim-Mall, which consolidated a store, restaurant, barber shop, insurance office, gift shop, dry cleaners and bar all in one building. The bar has proven to be a site for talent shows by local artists who are adept with banjos, drums or guitars. He held the office of Mayor of Ruthville for many, many years. His wife died on April 14, 1996.
When Bennie bought the store, there was only one lone building in Ruthville and no trees. He planted over 7, 000 trees in the area.
Bennie was active in many local events including having Ruthville, the headquarters for the North Prairie baseball team that brought fame to the area and to a number of local outstanding ball players. Weekly whist tournaments were held in the winter. Chariot and horse races as well as roping events and rodeos in the HVH Arena, which is located south of the other businesses. He was on the Military Affairs Committee of the Minot Chamber of Commerce and helped with the entertainment at the yearly Wild Game Feed, held at MAFB. He also was a member of the MADC. Bennie held a yearly Fourth of July celebration at Ruthville that included many events including a fireworks display that he orchestrated himself. He was on the board of directors for the North Dakota Beverage Dealers Association and received a dealer of the year award from the association.
He was a member of Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot and held many offices in the church. He was a charter member of the Hooterville Flion Lions Club of Ruthville, was the Lion of the Year 1993-1994, served as the club's Lion Tamer for 15 years and served on the board of directors for five years. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellowship from the club several years ago. He also was a member of the American Legion of Minot and was active in bowling leagues in Minot for many years.
Survivors include his daughters, Judith Rice and her husband, Bob, Minot, Diane Nannini and her husband, Edward, Sacramento, Calif., and Carolyn Johnson and her husband, Michael, Omaha, Neb.; five grandchildren, Robbie and Rory Rice, Steven and Rodney Nannini, and Taralynn Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Dallas Rice, Dalene, Derek, Denna Lynn and Delanie Nannini; his brother, Ernest Schimmelpfennig, Minot; his sister, Esther Carlson, Snohomish, WA. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, Lawrence and Herbert; sister, Laura Schimmelpfennig.
Bennie was born on March 29, 1917 to Herman and Lydia (Lade) Schimmelpfennig, on his parents farm in Eureka Township, Ward County. He attended Eureka Township Schools and began his Ruthville career as an employee in 1932. He leased the store from William Mackenroth, who named Ruthville after his daughter Ruth, in 1936. He purchased the Ruthville Store in 1938 and was still active in running Ruthville Enterprises. He took over the business because it was simply a matter of "having a job and enjoying what you are doing." The original store just handled groceries and gasoline. He entered the US Army in 1941 and was stationed at Fort Pendleton, Calif. On Sept. 22, 1941, in Minot, he married Marian Lieberg. They lived at Fort Pendleton and Bennie's sister, Esther, ran the store until his discharge. Upon his discharge, the family moved back to Ruthville, and he took over the operation of the store. Significant growth came with the beginning of construction of the Minot Air Force Base in 1955. He developed a new motel and cafe that he named after the new arrivals: Jet Motel and Cafe. He also ran the Ruthville Trailer Park. At one time, Bennie owned everything in Ruthville, except for the Hardy Lieberg Sr. home, Bennie's in-laws, who helped them in the business.
An accomplished carpenter, he repaired all his own appliances and built three homes in Ruthville that his family lived in. He designed the water and sewer system including the lagoon for Ruthville. One of his homes was built with a 16x32 swimming pool designed for year-round use and it was made available to community organizations and groups of young people from the Air Base as well as the surrounding farm area.
Texaco products were sold at his gas station for over 40 years and Texaco honored him with an award for this feat. He later sold the gas station to the Ames family. In 1974, Bennie built the Schim-Mall, which consolidated a store, restaurant, barber shop, insurance office, gift shop, dry cleaners and bar all in one building. The bar has proven to be a site for talent shows by local artists who are adept with banjos, drums or guitars. He held the office of Mayor of Ruthville for many, many years. His wife died on April 14, 1996.
When Bennie bought the store, there was only one lone building in Ruthville and no trees. He planted over 7, 000 trees in the area.
Bennie was active in many local events including having Ruthville, the headquarters for the North Prairie baseball team that brought fame to the area and to a number of local outstanding ball players. Weekly whist tournaments were held in the winter. Chariot and horse races as well as roping events and rodeos in the HVH Arena, which is located south of the other businesses. He was on the Military Affairs Committee of the Minot Chamber of Commerce and helped with the entertainment at the yearly Wild Game Feed, held at MAFB. He also was a member of the MADC. Bennie held a yearly Fourth of July celebration at Ruthville that included many events including a fireworks display that he orchestrated himself. He was on the board of directors for the North Dakota Beverage Dealers Association and received a dealer of the year award from the association.
He was a member of Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot and held many offices in the church. He was a charter member of the Hooterville Flion Lions Club of Ruthville, was the Lion of the Year 1993-1994, served as the club's Lion Tamer for 15 years and served on the board of directors for five years. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellowship from the club several years ago. He also was a member of the American Legion of Minot and was active in bowling leagues in Minot for many years.
Survivors include his daughters, Judith Rice and her husband, Bob, Minot, Diane Nannini and her husband, Edward, Sacramento, Calif., and Carolyn Johnson and her husband, Michael, Omaha, Neb.; five grandchildren, Robbie and Rory Rice, Steven and Rodney Nannini, and Taralynn Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Dallas Rice, Dalene, Derek, Denna Lynn and Delanie Nannini; his brother, Ernest Schimmelpfennig, Minot; his sister, Esther Carlson, Snohomish, WA. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, Lawrence and Herbert; sister, Laura Schimmelpfennig.
Bernhard "Bennie" Schimmelpfennig, 82, Minot, and formerly of Ruthville, died March 4, 2000 at his home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Bennie was born on March 29, 1917 to Herman and Lydia (Lade) Schimmelpfennig, on his parents farm in Eureka Township, Ward County. He attended Eureka Township Schools and began his Ruthville career as an employee in 1932. He leased the store from William Mackenroth, who named Ruthville after his daughter Ruth, in 1936. He purchased the Ruthville Store in 1938 and was still active in running Ruthville Enterprises. He took over the business because it was simply a matter of "having a job and enjoying what you are doing." The original store just handled groceries and gasoline. He entered the US Army in 1941 and was stationed at Fort Pendleton, Calif. On Sept. 22, 1941, in Minot, he married Marian Lieberg. They lived at Fort Pendleton and Bennie's sister, Esther, ran the store until his discharge. Upon his discharge, the family moved back to Ruthville, and he took over the operation of the store. Significant growth came with the beginning of construction of the Minot Air Force Base in 1955. He developed a new motel and cafe that he named after the new arrivals: Jet Motel and Cafe. He also ran the Ruthville Trailer Park. At one time, Bennie owned everything in Ruthville, except for the Hardy Lieberg Sr. home, Bennie's in-laws, who helped them in the business.
An accomplished carpenter, he repaired all his own appliances and built three homes in Ruthville that his family lived in. He designed the water and sewer system including the lagoon for Ruthville. One of his homes was built with a 16x32 swimming pool designed for year-round use and it was made available to community organizations and groups of young people from the Air Base as well as the surrounding farm area.
Texaco products were sold at his gas station for over 40 years and Texaco honored him with an award for this feat. He later sold the gas station to the Ames family. In 1974, Bennie built the Schim-Mall, which consolidated a store, restaurant, barber shop, insurance office, gift shop, dry cleaners and bar all in one building. The bar has proven to be a site for talent shows by local artists who are adept with banjos, drums or guitars. He held the office of Mayor of Ruthville for many, many years. His wife died on April 14, 1996.
When Bennie bought the store, there was only one lone building in Ruthville and no trees. He planted over 7, 000 trees in the area.
Bennie was active in many local events including having Ruthville, the headquarters for the North Prairie baseball team that brought fame to the area and to a number of local outstanding ball players. Weekly whist tournaments were held in the winter. Chariot and horse races as well as roping events and rodeos in the HVH Arena, which is located south of the other businesses. He was on the Military Affairs Committee of the Minot Chamber of Commerce and helped with the entertainment at the yearly Wild Game Feed, held at MAFB. He also was a member of the MADC. Bennie held a yearly Fourth of July celebration at Ruthville that included many events including a fireworks display that he orchestrated himself. He was on the board of directors for the North Dakota Beverage Dealers Association and received a dealer of the year award from the association.
He was a member of Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot and held many offices in the church. He was a charter member of the Hooterville Flion Lions Club of Ruthville, was the Lion of the Year 1993-1994, served as the club's Lion Tamer for 15 years and served on the board of directors for five years. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellowship from the club several years ago. He also was a member of the American Legion of Minot and was active in bowling leagues in Minot for many years.
Survivors include his daughters, Judith Rice and her husband, Bob, Minot, Diane Nannini and her husband, Edward, Sacramento, Calif., and Carolyn Johnson and her husband, Michael, Omaha, Neb.; five grandchildren, Robbie and Rory Rice, Steven and Rodney Nannini, and Taralynn Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Dallas Rice, Dalene, Derek, Denna Lynn and Delanie Nannini; his brother, Ernest Schimmelpfennig, Minot; his sister, Esther Carlson, Snohomish, WA. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, Lawrence and Herbert; sister, Laura Schimmelpfennig.
Bennie was born on March 29, 1917 to Herman and Lydia (Lade) Schimmelpfennig, on his parents farm in Eureka Township, Ward County. He attended Eureka Township Schools and began his Ruthville career as an employee in 1932. He leased the store from William Mackenroth, who named Ruthville after his daughter Ruth, in 1936. He purchased the Ruthville Store in 1938 and was still active in running Ruthville Enterprises. He took over the business because it was simply a matter of "having a job and enjoying what you are doing." The original store just handled groceries and gasoline. He entered the US Army in 1941 and was stationed at Fort Pendleton, Calif. On Sept. 22, 1941, in Minot, he married Marian Lieberg. They lived at Fort Pendleton and Bennie's sister, Esther, ran the store until his discharge. Upon his discharge, the family moved back to Ruthville, and he took over the operation of the store. Significant growth came with the beginning of construction of the Minot Air Force Base in 1955. He developed a new motel and cafe that he named after the new arrivals: Jet Motel and Cafe. He also ran the Ruthville Trailer Park. At one time, Bennie owned everything in Ruthville, except for the Hardy Lieberg Sr. home, Bennie's in-laws, who helped them in the business.
An accomplished carpenter, he repaired all his own appliances and built three homes in Ruthville that his family lived in. He designed the water and sewer system including the lagoon for Ruthville. One of his homes was built with a 16x32 swimming pool designed for year-round use and it was made available to community organizations and groups of young people from the Air Base as well as the surrounding farm area.
Texaco products were sold at his gas station for over 40 years and Texaco honored him with an award for this feat. He later sold the gas station to the Ames family. In 1974, Bennie built the Schim-Mall, which consolidated a store, restaurant, barber shop, insurance office, gift shop, dry cleaners and bar all in one building. The bar has proven to be a site for talent shows by local artists who are adept with banjos, drums or guitars. He held the office of Mayor of Ruthville for many, many years. His wife died on April 14, 1996.
When Bennie bought the store, there was only one lone building in Ruthville and no trees. He planted over 7, 000 trees in the area.
Bennie was active in many local events including having Ruthville, the headquarters for the North Prairie baseball team that brought fame to the area and to a number of local outstanding ball players. Weekly whist tournaments were held in the winter. Chariot and horse races as well as roping events and rodeos in the HVH Arena, which is located south of the other businesses. He was on the Military Affairs Committee of the Minot Chamber of Commerce and helped with the entertainment at the yearly Wild Game Feed, held at MAFB. He also was a member of the MADC. Bennie held a yearly Fourth of July celebration at Ruthville that included many events including a fireworks display that he orchestrated himself. He was on the board of directors for the North Dakota Beverage Dealers Association and received a dealer of the year award from the association.
He was a member of Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Minot and held many offices in the church. He was a charter member of the Hooterville Flion Lions Club of Ruthville, was the Lion of the Year 1993-1994, served as the club's Lion Tamer for 15 years and served on the board of directors for five years. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellowship from the club several years ago. He also was a member of the American Legion of Minot and was active in bowling leagues in Minot for many years.
Survivors include his daughters, Judith Rice and her husband, Bob, Minot, Diane Nannini and her husband, Edward, Sacramento, Calif., and Carolyn Johnson and her husband, Michael, Omaha, Neb.; five grandchildren, Robbie and Rory Rice, Steven and Rodney Nannini, and Taralynn Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Dallas Rice, Dalene, Derek, Denna Lynn and Delanie Nannini; his brother, Ernest Schimmelpfennig, Minot; his sister, Esther Carlson, Snohomish, WA. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, Lawrence and Herbert; sister, Laura Schimmelpfennig.
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