Benjamin Hill

Benjamin O. Hill, age 99, of Decorah, Iowa, died Wednesday morning, November 7, 2018 at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2018 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah with Rev. Stacey Nalean - Carlson officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA.     Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday, one hour before the service, at Fjelstul Funeral Home.    Benjamin Olaf Hill was born on September 23, 1919 in Glenwood Township, Decorah, to Julius and Gustina (Sjerping) Hill.  Ben was baptized and confirmed at the Glenwood Lutheran Church and attended country school in Glenwood Township.  He helped on the family farm until he bought his own farm that was located north of Decorah.   He loved his farm: planting and harvesting crops, raising cattle, using his bulldozer for farm projects and he also did a little woodworking.   For several years he worked at a local cemetery digging graves. First he did this by hand with shovels and then later with the help of more modern equipment.  He loved going to auctions and buying used tools and other little treasures.  Ben became a resident of Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home on January 17, 2013. For these last 6 years, he was happy and content being there and the staff enjoyed having him as well. Ben is survived by one niece, Gail (Bill) Keefe of Decorah; three nephews: Roger (Marlene) Berg, Duane (Jean) Berg, and Jim (Donna) Berg, all of Decorah; and by five great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and brother-in-laws, Myrtle (Austin) Moen and Jeanette (Joseph) Berg; and Special Friend, Sonja Kapler.