Gary Orrill Mitteness

Gary Orrill Mitteness, 71, died Sunday morning, January 22, 2023, at Homestead Place North in Benson, MN, surrounded by family.  Visitation will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Zniewski Funeral Home Chapel in Benson, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 27, 2023, at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be held at a later date at the Swift Falls Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow the service. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with arrangements. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Gary O. Mitteness was born August 2, 1951, in Benson, MN the son of Gerhard and Marjorie (Johnson) Mitteness. He grew up in rural Benson and was confirmed in the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson. He attended school in Benson and continued his education at the University of MN in St. Paul, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.

March 11, 1978, Gary was united in marriage to Janet Andrews, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. He farmed in Swift County all his life, raising registered Polled Hereford cattle and growing sugar beets, corn, soybeans and wheat. He operated, with his family, Mitteness Polled Herefords and Mitteness Turkey Farms. He was a former President of the MN Polled Hereford Association, member of the MN Hereford Breeders Association, member of the Swift County Fair Board and active in 4-H in several roles. In 2011, Gary was inducted into the MN Hereford Breeders Hall of Fame.  Gary's passion was showing cattle and sharing his love of the livestock industry with the younger generation. Gary was heavily involved with the Swift County 4-H program, through leadership on the 4-H Advisory and Livestock boards, developing the county livestock judging program and being a mentor to youth interested in showing livestock across the county.  Gary also enjoyed flying and was a small craft airline pilot in his younger days.

Gary is survived by his mother: Marjorie Mitteness; three children: Christina (Brett) Markham of Berthoud, CO, Kimberly Jurek of Kerkhoven, MN and Ryan (Bridget Lane) Mitteness of Bellevue, WA; grandchildren: Haley Jurek, Mason Jurek, Joshua Jurek, Anabelle Jurek, Jonathan Mitteness and Catherine Mitteness, brother: Brad (Theresa) Mitteness of Waseca, MN and Janet Mitteness of Benson, MN.

Gary was preceded in death by his son: Noel Mitteness; his father: Gerhard Mitteness; sisters: Linda Mitteness and Joyce (Mitteness) Merriman and son-in-law: Josh Jurek.