Bennie M. Holmquist

Bennie M. Holmquist of Sauk Centre, MN passed from this life on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Meadow Lane Nursing Home in Benson, MN, at the age of 86. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at River of Life Church in Sauk Centre, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  A reception will immediately follow the service. A private family burial will be held at a later date at the Kandota Township Cemetery.

Bennie Martin Holmquist was born October 15, 1936, in Little Sauk Township, Todd County, to Carl and Dora (Pettit) Holmquist. 

Ben was united in marriage to Violet Porttiin on November 19, 1960, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Grey Eagle, MN.  This union was blessed with three children. They raised their family on a small dairy farm east of Round Prairie. He also worked at Long Prairie Machinery and Mid State Tractor as a tractor mechanic. To say he was "just a mechanic" is an understatement. What he lacked in formal education, he more than made up for in his knowledge of tractors and vintage automobiles  In later years, he worked with Terry Crider in construction and 25+ years at Jennie-O in Melrose.

Ben was a man of faith who loved his family and would help anyone who asked.  He was often found mowing the lawn and cleaning snow on the River of Life Church grounds.  He was a quiet man by nature yet would perk up and have an endless supply of facts when the topic of conversation turned to tractors and old cars. You would often hear him humming an old hymn while working.  He very much enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. 

Ben is survived by his children, Rebecca (Ricky) Green, Eagle Bend, Yvonne Rajewsky, Benson, Benjamin (Denise) Holmquist, Sauk Centre; grandchildren, Heather (Tony) Zierden, Brent Green, Sarah (Aaron) Plasky, Robin Holmquist, Anna (Justin) Herke, Kelsey and Ian Rajewsky; great grandchildren, Brionna and Lily Zierden, Maisie Herke and Molly Plasky; and siblings, Pearl Radeug, Eagle Bend, and Albert (Kay) Holmquist, Richville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl & Dora Holmquist; Sister, Marion Finch and six brothers, Carl, Gene, Virgil, Harold, Harry and Marvin.