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John Benjamin Tjersland, 84, a longtime resident of La Conner, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Skagit Valley Hospital.

He was born on October 7, 1930, in Burlington, the son of Henry and Bernice Clark Tjersland. At a young age, he moved with his family to Southeast Nebraska. He attended the rural school and Nemaha High School. He furthered his education and attended Peru State College before returning to Washington in August, 1949.

Ben grew up on his family farm in Nebraska, and he worked on farms around La Conner. He joined the United States Army in December 1950, serving his country for three years. In May 1952, Ben married Jean Moen, and they raised three sons together.

Ben worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator; he owned farm equipment and finished his career working for Skagit Valley Trucking in various positions within the company. He retired at the end of 1992 and enjoyed many years being a part of the Shelter Bay Community.

He married Candice G. Dunn on January 10, 2009 in La Conner. He was a member of the La Conner Methodist Church, Mount Vernon Elks Lodge #1604, past member of the Mount Vernon Lions Lodge, past member of the McLean Road Fire Dept., commissioner with Dike District #1 and later a member of the Shelter Bay Community Board of Directors.

Ben is survived by his loving wife Candice G. Tjersland; three sons, David B. and his wife Gayle Tjersland, Steven J. Tjersland and Christopher R. Tjersland; brother, Richard and his wife Shirley Tjersland and family; step-daughter, Kim and her husband Rene Pedroza and their family, Alicia and Candice; four grandchildren, Jordan and Justin Tjersland, Kelsey and her husband Gabe Balch and Dustin and his wife Sara Tjersland; three great-grandchildren, Kennedy Balch, Benjamin and Alivia Tjersland. Ben was preceded in death by his wife Jean Virginia Tjersland in 2004.

Memorials may be given to the Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, P.O. Box 2405, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Ben was laid to rest at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery during a family gathering.

You may offer Ben’s family your condolences and share memories of Ben online at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.