Charles Darrell Connelly

Charles Darrell Connelly
October 11, 1932 – November 7, 2017
Notice and Obituary
 
Benson, Minnesota – Charles D. Connelly, age 85, of Benson, Minn. died on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at Gabriel House in Murdock, Minn. 
Visitation will be held Friday, November 10, from 5 - 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Benson.  Visitation will continue from 9 – 10 a.m., followed by the funeral at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 11, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.  Interment will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson.
 
Charles Darrell Connelly was born October 11, 1932, in Big Stone County, Minnesota, the son of Justus and Ruth Myrtle (Wold) Connelly. He grew up in Grace Township, Chippewa County, and graduated from Benson High School. Charles was united in marriage to Barbara Neuhaus on August 5, 1951, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, by the Rev T. H. Rehwalt. This union was blessed with over 44 years of marriage.
 
On November 11, 1952, he was baptized and confirmed in Santa Monica, California.  Charles served his country in the United States Army from December of 1952 to December of 1954. He then worked at Swift County CO-OP Oil in Benson, Douglas Aircraft Company in Los Angeles, California, and farmed in Chippewa and Swift County.
 
Charles was united in Marriage to Rita Renae Sonnabend on February 14, 1998, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This union was blessed with over 19 years of marriage.
 
Through the years, Charles was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Benson. He enjoyed old tractors, his lake home, trips to Lake Havasu City, and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was called from this life on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at the Gabriel House in Murdock. He attained the age of 85 years and 27 days.
 
Charles is survived by his wife, Rita Connelly of Benson; children: Laurie (Steven) Mortenson, Jon (Cathy) Connelly, Lisa (John) Huston, Chad (Cindy) Connelly, Jason Connelly, and son-in-law Harlan Paulsrud, all of Benson; 13 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Gene (Irene) Connelly of Murrells Inlet, SC; sister-in-law, Carol Connelly of Sandy, Oregon; and Rita’s family: Denise (Tim) Bakken, Todd (Michelle) Sonnabend, Beth (Curt) Taylor; 9 step-grandchildren; and 7 step-great-grandchildren.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Justus and Ruth Connelly-Thorstensen; step-father, James Thorstensen; his wife, Barbara; daughter, Rebecca Paulsrud; granddaughter, Jennifer Huston; and brother, Gary Connelly.  Blessed be the memory of Charles Connelly.
 
Please sign the guest book at:  www.zniewskifuneralhome.com