Minnesota State mourns the loss of Adam Ellingson and Megan Bening

The Minnesota State University, Mankato student body will be two less after the deaths of Adam Ellingson and Megan Elizabeth Bening this past week.

Adam Ellingson, 20, passed away Jan. 31 due to gastroenteritis complicated by respiratory arrest. Ellingson was a second-year student-athlete in the MNSU baseball program.

Megan Elizabeth Bening, 22, passed away Jan. 28 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Bening passed away after experiencing a spontaneous brain hemorrhage while skiing.

Those who knew Ellingson and Bening remember the impact they had in all aspects of their lives.

Minnesota State Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman issued a statement, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that Maverick Athletics announces the passing of one of its own, as we are deeply saddened by the loss of Adam Ellingson—a second-year student-athlete in our baseball program. In Adam’s relatively short time on our campus and with our program, he had already made a significant impact and was successful both on the field and in the classroom. Adam modeled the attributes of commitment, passion, and leadership and he will certainly be missed by his teammates and coaches who will honor his memory in moving forward.  As an athletic department and University, we extend our deepest condolences to Adam’s family and friends, and all others affected by this tragic loss.”

MNSU head baseball coach Matt Magers also issued a statement, saying, “We are all deeply saddened by Adam’s loss. He represented all of the qualities we look for in a Maverick Baseball student-athlete.”

Bureau 507, Bening’s place of employment, released a statement in light of her loss. “As a team we are shocked by this awful news. We are a mob, a family and within families there is a time for everything, there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance! Today we weep and mourn,” it stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, Allan and Jean Bening and her guide dog Cori.”

Ellingson joined the MNSU baseball program after graduating in 2015 from Rochester Lourdes High School, where he was a successful baseball and football player. He was a three-year letterman as a catcher and pitcher for the Eagles, and he also captured a Minnesota state high school AAA championship as a member of the Lourdes football team in 2014. Ellingson enjoyed mathematics and hoped to complete a degree in actuarial science.

Bening attended Sibley East High School before attending MNSU, where she graduated with a B.S. degree in Computer Information Technology. Bening was also a User Experience Manager at MNSU’s Bureau 507 and was working toward her Master’s degree. According to her obituary, she loved to ski, sky dive, and spend time with her family and friends.

Funerals for Bening and Ellingson were held Feb. 4 and Feb. 6, respectively.