Benjamin "Ben" M. Klimek

Benjamin “Ben” M. Klimek, age 88, of Eagle Bend, died on Monday, February 13, 2023, at Mission Nursing Home in Plymouth.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 24, 2023, at St. Williams Catholic Church in Parkers Prairie with Fr. Peter VanderWeyst officiating. Interment will be held at the church cemetery.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service.

Benjamin Mathias was born on February 15, 1934, to Mathias and Sophia (Schmidt) Klimek in Leaf Valley Township. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Ben attended country school though the eighth grade. Following his education, he began his full-time work on the family farm and continued to do so until he met his future bride at the Glenwood Ballroom. Ben and Charlene Zeltwanger were united in marriage on June 11, 1966, at St. Williams Catholic Church in Parkers Prairie and to this union nine children were born. The couple started farming in between Eagle Bend and Parkers Prairie for a few years. They then moved to a farm near Bertha where they farmed for several years. The family settled back on a farm near Eagle Bend where they spent the remainder of their career. Ben retired from farming in the early 90’s and began working for Central-Bi Products near Long Prairie. Following his retirement, he enjoyed gardening, yard work, and listening to polka music. Ben also enjoyed four-wheeler rides and spending time with the family dogs he “never wanted”. Overall, he loved his family, especially the time he shared with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Charlene; siblings and their spouses, Cathy (Chuck) Fuerst, Richard (Marlene) Klimek, Harold (Hazel) Klimek, and Jeanie Roers; brothers-in-law, Leopold Fafard and Tim Tigue; and sister-in-law, Vicky (Chalmer) Burns.

Ben is survived by his nine children, Timothy (Dawn) Klimek of Eagle Bend, Michelle Klimek of Fergus Falls, Jennifer (Christopher) Salcido of Staples, Melissa (Tait) Stueve of Eagle Bend, Sara (Tim) Ahrendt of Clarissa, Lee (Angela) Klimek of Hewitt, Aaron (Kelly) Klimek of Eagle Bend, Rebecca (Shawn) Hagen of Eagle Bend, and Emily (Aaron) Sebek of Alexandria; two sisters, Marilyn Fafard of Cocoa, Florida and Elaine Tigue of Greer, South Carolina; 28 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Donald Roers and Kevin (Gloria) Zeltwanger; sisters-in-law, Kathleen (Wayne) Urbaniak and Marlene (Jim) Bauer; along with many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Caden Rowe, Jordan Owen, Andrew Salcido, Brayden Salcido, Caleb Klimek, Ty Klimek, Devon Epps, and Mitchell Ahrendt.