John Leonard Benning
January 27, 1946 – May 6, 2022

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of John Leonard Benning, 76 years of Humboldt, on Friday, May 6, 2022 at home with his family by his side.

John was born January 27, 1946 to Anthony and Mary (nee Saretsky) Benning. He was raised on the farm, where he lived his whole life. He attended Banner School until grade 8, then attended St. Peter’s College as a day scholar where he finished his grade 12. During these years, John participated in 4-H, hockey and track.

John and his dad worked together on the family farm with John eventually taking over the mixed farming operation, growing grain and raising both cattle and pigs. Throughout his many years of farming, John employed both seasonal and full time workers and enjoyed forming relationships with each of them. He also loved raising animals and was thrilled last year when he had his first ever set of triplet calves. Spring was always his favorite season as it meant being able to witness the frisky calves, bouncing and bucking around, so full of energy. In his later years, he watched his son and son-in-law take over the family farm, helping the boys wherever needed, while still maintaining a small herd of cattle.

On July 17, 1971, John married Gladys Strueby and they moved into a small trailer on the Benning family farm. In 1980, after John’s parents moved to Humboldt, John and Gladys moved into the main farmhouse with their two children and were blessed with two more after the move. John made sure to support his children in their endeavours whether it was homework help at the kitchen table, carting them to their many sports practices and games, or even finding himself coaching girls soccer, which required some learning on the job. He was also a community minded person and a member of numerous groups including the Muenster School Board and St. Scholastica Parish Council. His faith and community were of utmost importance to him as he was always willing to help out whenever needed.

John had many interests and enjoyed watching a wide range of sports with hockey and football being his favorites. He enjoyed attending concerts, musicals, and had a special love of instrumental music. Always eager to learn new things, he enjoyed reading the Western Producer, bull sale magazines and crop production publications. John was a people person; he loved visiting and it was never a quick trip anywhere he went because of it. He also enjoyed gardening, especially working with fruit trees and berries.

John loved his four grandchildren and would often play hide and seek, take them for tractor and combine rides and teach them about the cattle when they came out with him for chores. He loved attending their baseball, fastball and hockey games as well as watching their dance and piano recitals.

John will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his wife of 50 years Gladys; 4 children and 4 grandchildren: Jodine Benning of Myrnam, AB; Andrew Benning of Humboldt; Chantale Benning of Saskatoon; and Candace (Myles) Schleper and family Jaxson, Jozie, Tye, and Allivia of Humboldt, SK; brothers and sisters: Larry (Rosalie) Benning of Muenster, Mary Anne Telfer of Humboldt, and Carol (Dale) Bergermann of Humboldt; in-laws: Maureen Benning of Humboldt, Joan Benning of Medicine Hat, AB, Liz Benning of Sandy Lake, AB, and Paulette Benning of Saskatoon; and by in-laws of the Strueby family. John was predeceased by his parents Anthony and Mary Benning, his siblings: George (Emma) Benning, Bernard Benning, Edward Benning, Elmer Benning, and Richard Benning, and brother-in-law Donald Telfer.

A Prayer Service was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Scholastica R.C. Church, Burr, led by Fr. Colin Roy, with Public Visitation from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, celebrated by Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB. Interment followed in the St. Augustine Roman Catholic Cemetery. Both services were recorded and are available to watch on the funeral home website - https://www.md-funeralhome.ca/obituary/John-Benning - from May 13 – June 15, 2022. Memorial donations in John’s memory may be directed to STARS Foundation, St. Mary’s Villa Foundation or St. Scholastica Cemetery Fund.

This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium
Phone: 682-1622