Benjamin P. MacConnell

Veblen, SD: The funeral service for Benjamin "Ben" Philip MacConnell, 77 of Veblen, will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Veblen, SD with Pastor Karie Geyer and Pastor Vernal Donnell officiating. Pallbearers will be Ty, Lane, Clay, Skylar, and Kaiden MacConnell, and Phillip and Tucker Mertens. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mason Jones and Jason Giessing.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Our Saviors and an hour before the funeral on Friday. Interment will be at a later date at the MacConnell family farm near Veblen, SD.

Benjamin Philip MacConnell was born on October 16, 1948 in Mandan ND to Russell and Esther (Heid) MacConnell. In 1954 they moved near Veblen, SD where he attended rural Marshall county schools. In 1967 at the age of 18, Ben enlisted in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany and Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1971. Upon returning home he married the love of his life, DorAnn (DeeDee) Fisher on May 27, 1972.

They made their home near Veblen, SD and Ben worked various jobs as a mechanic and rancher.

In 1978, they moved to Colorado where he continued his work as a mechanic and rancher.

They lived in Colorado Springs, Rush, and then Karval, Colorado. In 1991, they returned to Veblen, SD where Ben worked at Rein Construction. Ben loved spending time with his kids and grandkids, and having his morning coffee with his close friends. He loved nature and birds and tinkering on vehicles but was extremely proud of his lawnmower collection. Ben will always be remembered for his generosity, kindness and patience towards others. He had the gift of gab and knowledge about every topic under the sun. There is no way to put into one paragraph how Ben touched everyone he met. It would require publishing a book. Ben was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Veblen and a member of the Veblen American Legion Post.

Ben passed away at Avera St. Lukes in Aberdeen, SD, on January 20,2026.

Ben is Survived by his children, Philip (Lisa) MacConnell, Veblen, SD and their children: Ty (Angie) MacConnell, Lane MacConnell, Clay MacConnell, Skylar MacConnell, Kyla (Jason) Giessing and Shaun Vrchota; Mac (Lisa) MacConnell, Veblen, SD and their child, Alicia MacConnell; Mindy (Phillip) Mertens, Veblen, SD and their children, Harmony (Mason) Jones, Tucker Mertens and Sterling Mertens; and Marty MacConnell, Fargo, ND and his children, Destiny (Samuel) Bickwid, Jasmine MacConnell, Kaiden MacConnell, Kaylen MacConnell, Hailey Fischer and Paige Deilke; one great granddaughter, Tecova Jones; one brother, Ken (Teresa) MacConnell; two sisters, Ellen (Steve) Hagenson, and Valerie (DeVaar) Crandall; and a number of nieces and nephews and their families.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, DeeDee; a brother, Durwood; sisters, Jeane Ritzman and Nancy Optiz; and an infant brother.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Philip MacConnell – 44370 109th St. – Veblen, SD 57270.