Benard J. Aning

Benard “Ben” John Aning Sr., a longtime employee of John Morrell Co., passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at his home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at 93.

Benard John Aning was born to John and Grace (Dammer) Aning on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931, in a rural house a few miles northeast of Roscoe, South Dakota. The family farmed there for approximately seven years but struggled with droughts, low prices, and the Great Depression, yielding only two decent crops. Around 1935, they left the farm and moved to Ellsworth, Minnesota, where they lived with Mrs. Aning’s father, Sievert P. Dammer.

Ben was baptized in 1940 at the home of the pastor of the First Congregational Church. He attended Ellsworth Public School for six years before his family relocated to Brandon, South Dakota. During the summer of 1947-1948, Ben worked at John Morrell, where they hired 16-year-olds. In 1948, he coached the high school baseball team and was active in basketball and track. He graduated as an “Honor Student” from Brandon High School, where he was known as the "BHS Math Wizard," and served as vice president of his graduating class in 1949.

In September 1949, Ben enrolled at Nettleton Commercial College. By April 1950, he accepted an accounting position with Northern State Power Company in Sioux Falls and attended the National College of Business for 15 months. In May 1951, he returned to work at John Morrells. Later, in December 1951, Ben enlisted in the U.S. Navy, taking boot camp training in San Diego, California. In March 1952, he attended a “Class A Yeoman School” in Bainbridge, Maryland, where he served on the USS Fulton (AS-11). While on a special duty assignment in Washington, D.C., he exchanged letters with Sharon Baker from Luverne, Minnesota, whom he met in May 1953. During his service, he had the opportunity to meet Mamie Eisenhower.

Throughout his military career, Ben served on four additional ships and spent one year on the Admiral's staff in the Saudi Arabia/Bahrain area. He experienced significant moments such as witnessing the changing of the guard in England and visiting old castles and bullfights in Spain. He was honorably discharged on November 18, 1955, and returned to work at John Morrells.

On January 14, 1956, Ben married Sharon Baker in Luverne, Minnesota, and the couple resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Ben coached the Sioux Falls American Legion Baseball team from 1957 to 1959, leading them to three consecutive state championships—a feat not achieved by Sioux Falls before or since 1959.

Around 1957, his mentor, Frank J. Miller, encouraged him to join the union. Over the years, Ben has taken on several roles, including department assistant steward, department chief steward, trustee, treasurer, business representative, recording secretary, president, and vice president. He and Sharon attended five international union conventions and have been members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church since 1962.

In addition, Ben served on the Board of Directors of the South Dakota State Federation of Labor for 12 years, was on the Board of Service First Credit Union for 10 years, and spent five years on the Board of the Sioux Falls Packer (a farm club for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team). He was President and Treasurer of the AARP Local Chapter, served two terms with United Way, and was President of the Morrell Retirees Club and Local Union 304 A Retirees Club. He also ran for city commission in 1987 and was a lifetime member of the Sioux Falls Post 15 American Legion. On May 15, 2018, Ben had the honor of joining over 80 veterans on the Mission 2 Midwest Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to visit the veterans' memorials.

After 38 years of service with John Morrell’s, Ben retired in December 1988. Following his retirement, he and Sharon enjoyed 15 three-day weekend tours over the next four years. He cherished his morning breakfasts with fellow 2000 Census workers at Hardee's and enjoyed playing pinochle at the Active Generation Center and Legion Stag events. Additionally, Ben was a devoted Skyforce Basketball fan, having attended 606 consecutive games.

Ben is survived by his children: Julie Aning of Sioux Falls, Nancy Aiken of Sioux Falls, Deborah (Tom) Conklin of The Dalles, Oregon, and Ben (Stacey) Aning Jr. of Dallas, TX; five grandchildren: Christopher Aiken, Stephanie Aiken, Luke (Brittany) Conklin, Justin Conklin, and Katie (Rocklen) Mouw; and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Grace Aning, and his beloved wife of 51 years, Sharon Aning.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 909 W. 33rd Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. A visitation with family present will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home—downtown, located at 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Ben will be laid to rest in the mausoleum at Hills of Rest Cemetery.