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Donald Joseph Benz, 82, of Silver Lake, MN, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2023, at his home.
Donald was born Sept. 6, 1940, to Joseph and Lucile (Buska) Benz at the Litchfield Hospital, Litchfield, MN.
He grew up in Silver Lake, received his education through eigth grade at St. Adalbert’s Catholic School, and graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1958.
He was united in marriage to Margaret Vasko May 22, 1962, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Silver Lake.
He resided in Silver Lake, raising four children. Donald worked for 50 years, first at the Silver Lake Produce, and then Crystal Farms.
He was an avid supporter of the Silver Lake Lakeites, GSL Panthers, Vikings, Gophers, and Twins. Donald was an active member of the Silver Lake Lions, Knights of Columbus, Degree of Honor, and Senior Citizens Club. He was the assistant manager of the Silver Lake Lions pull tabs for over 18 years.
Donald loved to fish, play cards, and his all-time favorite family game of Left, Right, Center, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Donald is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Donna (Bruce) Kimball, David (Debbie), Kevin (Lynn), and Nancy (Jay) Froelich; six grandchildren, Cassie (Ben) Krukow, Ashley Eury, Dillon (Morgan) Benz, Caleb (Emily) Benz, Claire (fiance Jason Rodriguez) Benz, and Brynn Froelich; six great-grandchildren, Courtney and Braxton Krukow, Trypp, Titus, and Tate Eury, and Beckett Benz; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Charlotte Vasko and Judy and Patrick Finnegan; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lucile Benz; parents-in-law, Frank and Emily Vasko; brother-in-law, Eddie Vasko; and sister-in-law, Mildred Vasko.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald Benz was Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake. Father John Hayes was the celebrant. Interment followed at Holy Family Cemetery.
A visitation took place Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake.
Further visitation will take place Thursday morning, Jan. 19, from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home.
Casket bearers were Dillon Benz, Caleb Benz, Randy Vasko, Bob Vasko, Ben Krukow, and Tom Frost.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
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