Benedict "Ben" Joseph Rucinski

Benedict J. Rucinski (Ben), 82, of Becida, MN, died peacefully in his sleep, Monday, November 8, 2021 in Blackduck, MN. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wilton, MN, with Father Pat Sullivan officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church.  Internment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. 

Dad was born July 13, 1939 on the family farm in Becida, MN.  He attended Sunny Hill Grade School in Fern Township through 8th grade and was the first to graduate in his family from Bemidji High School in 1957.  He lived and worked on the farm, milking and logging until he was drafted into the US Army April 15, 1963.  He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He was sent to Military Police school at Fort Gordon, Georgia, served in Germany and was discharged April 2, 1965. 

After being discharged from the military, dad returned home to work on the farm with his brother Junior and cared for his parents until their deaths.  Dad married Lois (Stotts) in May of 1977 and together they raised 4 children. 

In 1992, Dad suffered a major heart attack and had to make a life-changing decision to sell his cows and give up dairy farming.  He continued to log and decided to follow his passion of care giving, taking classes to become a Home Health Aid.  He worked at Beltrami County Health and Human Services for the next 22 years, often caring for clients much younger than himself.  He thoroughly enjoyed caring for the homebound, but enjoyed visiting and teasing the office ladies just as much, both for their company and the treats they would bring in. 

After retiring from the County, he continued to log with just his chainsaw and John Deere A until he was 79 years old.  He cared full-time for Junior until his death in 2017.  He was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wilton, serving on the Council for many years, Eucharistic Minister and a Confirmation teacher.  He also served on the Fern Township Board for 40 years, hanging that hat up when “he’d done everything he wanted to do.”

Dad’s passion were his children and grandkids, believing that kids were what keep you young.  He was so proud of his first grandchild and namesake, little Benny.  Dad was so proud to meet and hold his first great-grandbaby, Audriegh this summer.  Dad was a devout Catholic and there was never any good reason for skipping Mass.  Each Sunday we were woken up by the lights being flipped on announcing “it’s daylight in the swamp, time to get up for church.”  Even years later, we would get phone calls on Sunday mornings.  He did at-home ministry and believed strongly in visiting the sick.  Dad believed in forgiveness for all and not harboring hate in your heart. 

Dad was known for his sense of humor and always had a joke to tell, had a nickname for everyone he cared about, loved Stumping the Dummies and would have his stump ready for the end of that 30 days.  He was a dessert connoisseur, loving anything with frosting.  He faithfully read the bible and spent time everyday on devotions.  He also loved a good murder mystery; the Sunday comics and word finds.  He was an avid sports fan, enjoying playing softball in his younger years.  He loved football and baseball and could be found listening to the Twins on the AM station.   

He is survived by his wife, Lois, Children Amanda (Jeff Rubin), Amy (Ted Mart), Joe (Kailey), Molly (Brice Vollbrecht).  Grandchildren, Sam, Becca, TarreAnna, Alexis, Ben (Emily), Cara, Shayla, Levi, Teagan and Rowyn. And great grandbaby Audriegh, brothers Ralph, Edmund (Joy Christianson), and Ray.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Walter and Junior. 

Our family would like to thank the staff of Serenity Living Solutions in Blackduck, Joe Lueken Cancer Center and Sanford Hospice for the love and care they provided Dad in his last few months.  You will be greatly missed by all the lives that you touched. 

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