Ben Kordon, 91, formerly of the Fairfield and Gorham areas, died Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Country House in Dickinson. Ben’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, February 8, 2010 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Deacon Leonard Kordonowy officiating and Sr. Stephanie Dolyniuk. Interment will take place in the Spring at the St. Josaphat’s Cemetery west of Fairfield. Military honors will be provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post 144. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Ben was born January 18, 1919 on the family ranch near Gorham, the son of Peter and Juliana (Smerychnyski) Kordon. He was raised and educated in the Gorham area while helping on the family ranch and several other ranches until 1943. Ben served honorably in the US Army from November 18, 1943 to his discharge as a PFC on January 24, 1946. While in the military he was a rifleman during WWII where he had received two Purple Hearts and one Bronze Star along with several other medals of honor.
Ben returned to the home place where he ranched until 1976. He moved to Oregon where his brother George and sister, Lucy lived. Following several years he returned to the ranch in North Dakota. Ben loved to hunt, fish and wood carve. He enjoyed spending hours a day watching his nephews farm and hay. He always had a special love for his Great-Nieces, Erin and Katelyn Kordon.
Ben is survived by his brother, George Kordon, Fall Creek, Ore.; sister-in-law, Julia Kordon, Fairfield; Kurt, Erin and Katelyn Kordon, along with many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Mary (George) Kessel, Lucy Rigsby, and Katherine (William) Namenuk; and one brother, John Kordon.
