Armand Benavidz

Armand Benavidz, 53, of Jasper, MN, died on Monday, May 3, 2010, at Avera-McKenna Hospital in Sioux Falls. A memorial visitation will begin at 6:00 P.M. Thursday, May 6, 2010, with a memorial service beginning at 7:30 P.M. at Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Armand Benavidz was born on December 27, 1956 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota to Gilbert and Rita (Martinez) Benavidz. He grew up and graduated from high school in Mitchell, Nebraska. Armand lived in many places including: Lincoln, Nebraska; Rapid City, South Dakota; Mexico; Aberdeen, South Dakota; and Minnesota. He worked as a jewelry manufacturer for Riddles Jewelry, a sheep shearer, and most recently as a stone craftsman at L.G. Everist Quarry.

Armand was a very artistic person and enjoyed drawing and painting. He was also an avid musician and enjoyed playing the guitar. He loved using his hands to fix things and greatly enjoyed living in the country. He was a very positive and happy person and will be missed by his family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Joel Benavidz-Thompson of Rapid City; special friend, Debbie Teal of Garretson; father, Gilbert Benavidz of Rapid City; brothers: Albert (Deanne) Benavidz of Grand Island, Nebraska, David (Joey) Benavidz of Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, Gilbert Benavidz, Jr. of Crete, Nebraska, and Adam (Laura) Benavidz of Asheville, North Carolina; sisters: Alicia Benavidz of Rapid City, Meg (Gerald) Capek of Milligan, Nebraska, and Dale (Robert) Vega of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rita.