July 17, 1930 - January 18, 2026
OBITUARY
Ben Dais passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, at the age of 95. Ben was born in 1930 in
Eureka, South Dakota, to Jacob and Rosina Dais. He was the youngest of seven children. They
were descendants of Germans from Russia, specifically the group that moved from the Odessa
region to South Dakota, and then to Lodi.
When Ben was a young child, the family moved to Acampo, California, where Ben spent his
childhood and teen years helping tend to the farm and its surrounding vineyards. Ben
graduated from Lodi High School in 1948. In 1950, he married Delora and shortly thereafter
they moved to Los Angeles where they spent several years before returning to Lodi.
Ben worked as an apprentice carpenter and eventually earned his own contractor license. His
crew most often consisted of his brother Esra and nephews Bob, Ken, and Bill. During the next
40 years, this crew constructed many private homes, apartment complexes, and medical and
commercial buildings. Ben also served as the general contractor for the building of the Church
of God (7 th Day) in Lodi. Ben attended this church throughout his life, serving as board member,
Bible teacher, and singing in various musical groups. Faith was an integral part of the Ben Dais
household. This was reflected in his generosity, his loyalty to his family and church, and his
hospitality. His daughters and granddaughter will remember him, with gratitude, as someone
who worked tirelessly to provide for and protect his family, as well as making sure that we
spent time with each other and with friends enjoying life.
While Ben was a hard worker, he enjoyed time in the outdoors with family and friends, taking
trips to the ocean, waterskiing and swimming. He also enjoyed reading historical books and
tending his cactus garden.
Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Delora, by his parents, Jacob and Rosina Dais, and by his
siblings Mary Haegar, Reuben Dais, Ida Ogren, Gideon Dais, Emil Dais, and Esra Dais.
He is survived by his daughters Pam Self (Neal), Sharon Griffin (Jerry) and his granddaughter
Jillian Self-Cabral (Andrew).
SERVICE
A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 15 at 2:00 pm at the Church of God (7 th Day)
on Tienda Drive in Lodi.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Dais family.
Please leave your condolences below.