Regan Benning, age 66 of Bottineau, died Saturday, September 26, 2020 at a Bottineau hospital.  A private funeral will be held.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 29 ^th from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Regan Edgar Benning was born in Mohall, ND on July 3, 1954 to Paul and Gladys (Fraser) Benning. He was raised in Antler, ND and graduated from Antler High School in 1973. At a young age he became involved with the family farm and custom harvesting operation, which followed the annual harvest from Oklahoma to North Dakota. As a young teenager Regan met Avis Hegdahl while roller skating in Antler. Their courtship continued for many years and they were married on October 7 ^, 1977 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Westhope, ND. They lived in Minot, ND for a short period of time before returning to Antler where Regan continued farming. While living in Antler, Regan and Avis were blessed with their two wonderful children; Jordan and Kayla Benning.

After many years of farming in the Antler area, Regan and his family moved to Bottineau. Regan then became employed at Rugby Equipment and later at M.J. McGuire's, both in Rugby. In 1999 while employed at McGuire's, Regan experienced debilitating health issues that no longer permitted him to work. Regan's family was able to care for him at home for many years until 2013 when additional health issues necessitated his admittance to the Good Samaritan Center in Bottineau, ND.

Regan was a lover of life and child at heart. He enjoyed playing pranks and living life to the fullest. Some of his greatest passions were farming, hunting, snowmobiling, watching the MN Twins, and boating and spending time with his family at their lake cabin on Lake Metigoshe. Some of the family's fondest memories with Regan include driving in the ditches and on the sidewalks of Antler, shooting bottle rockets from the car moonroof, the air-born toboggan rides behind the snowmobile and pickup, trail rides at Medora, waterpark adventures, tailgate lunches in the field, spending time together at the farm, and bean bag 'flights'.

One experience we never quite understood is how Regan went to Canada on a wolf hunting trip and came home with trophy fish instead of a wolf. One downside for Avis of these hunting trips is that the 'trophies' ended up being part of the decorating scheme.

Regan also had a sense of adventure and determination. At age 7 after being told he was too young for the annual harvest run, he took matters into his own hands. He hid in the box of the grain truck undetected only to be discovered by his dad 50 miles down the road. Unfortunately for Regan, his dad was also determined and swiftly returned him home to his mother.

The last 21 years of Regan's life were filled with an abundance of major medical and health issues. Regan's amazingly strong will to live, coupled with his family's devotion, allowed him to repeatedly beat the odds and stun his doctors who often times referred to him as a 'medical miracle'. Regan's long and difficult journey ended on September 26, 2020 when his body succumbed to Covid-19 and he made his final journey Home. He will be remembered as a fun loving, determined and strong-willed person with a lust for life.

Regan is survived by his wife, Avis; son, Jordan Benning; daughter, Kayla Benning; granddaughter, Kinsley Benning; siblings Rhonda (Keith) Michalenko, Reede (Mary) Benning, Rhea (Curt) Bjerke; sister-in-law Margie (Bob) Cranston, sister-in-law Jannie (Roger) Artz, and many nieces and nephews.

Regan was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Gladys, infant twin daughters Julee and Jana, father and mother-in-law Alvin and Alma Hegdahl, and brother-in-law, (and often partner in 'crime') Hank Stead.

His absence will forever leave a huge void in our lives and hearts.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome .net

His funeral will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdQAsBKukzE