Bernard "Ben" Edward Nanneman

Bernard "Ben" Nanneman was born on March 8, 1927 to Charles and Clara Nanneman at the family farm house in Shaw, Oregon. Ben attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Shaw and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salem in June 1945. After graduation Ben enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to a medical ship as a hospital apprentice. Ben returned to Salem and married Berna MacDonald on June 2, 1951.

Ben worked for Collier Motors, Boise Paper-Mill and Curly's Dairy. In 1959, he purchased a farm on Silverton Road in Salem and started farming raising various crops including strawberries. In 1968 he became a full-time farmer, an occupation he loved and held until his death. Ben was a "first-boss" to thousands of Salem school kids whose first job was picking strawberries and pole beans at Nanneman Farms in the 60's, 70's and 80's.

He is survived by his sister, Margaret Foster of Sublimity and brother, Al Nanneman of Klamath Falls. His children; Teresa (Jim) Beller, Barry Nanneman and Marty (Toni) Nanneman, all of Salem. Grandchildren; Jeff (Erica) Beller, Jennifer (Erin) Davila, Alexandria Nanneman and Kelsey Nanneman and great grandchildren; Abby, Lucas, Ethan, Corbin and Esme. Ben was preceded in death by his wife Berna in 2006, his brothers Carl, Walter, Frank and sisters, Helen and Josephine and his special friend Lenna McGovern.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sweet Bye N Bye on Coral Street in Salem for their loving and compassionate care of Ben for the past three years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Community Services Father Taaffee Homes program.