Benedict 'Ben' Thomas - 82
Foley
April 17, 1931-December 7, 2013
Ben Thomas, age 82, of Foley, died Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 12, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church, Foley. The Rev. Allen C. Jergenson will officiate. Burial will be in Ronneby Riverside Cemetery at a later date.  Military Honors will be provided by the Foley American Legion, Post 298.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 Wednesday at the Foley Funeral Home in Foley and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.  Prayer services will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Arrangements were made by the Foley Funeral Home.
Benedict Thomas was born April 17, 1931 in Brennyville, Alberta Township, Benton Co to Anton and Victoria (Krawiecki) Thomas.  He married Patricia Jacobsen on June 2, 1953 in Foley.  The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June of 2013. He lived most of his life in the Foley area and was a US Navy Veteran.  Ben worked at Franklin Manufacturing in St. Cloud for 43 years, retiring in 1994.  The couple lived in Maywood Township where Ben farmed and was a member of the Maywood Township Board for 18 years.  He enjoyed farming, hunting and fishing.  He was a member of the AARP, NRA, the Oak Park Creamery Board and the Machinists Union, Local 623.
He is survived by his wife,  Patricia, Foley; daughter, Melanie (Tom) Rau, Foley and grandchildren, Cassandra (Jeremy) Glende, Fairbault and Jeremiah (Terri) Rau of Brewster, great grandchildren; Colton, Aleia and Makayla Glende and Gavin and Mason Rau; sister, Clothilda 'Cloe' Brenny, Foley, brother  Martin Thomas, St. Cloud and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Larry in 1996 and brothers, Clarence and Aloise 'Duke'.