Ben Johannes, age 98, of New Prague, died Thursday, February 20, 2014 at Mala Strana Health Care Center. Ben was born May 11, 1915 in St. Nicholas, Stearns County, MN to William & Catherine (Stien) Johannes. He attended Stearns County Country School in St. Nicholas. Ben married Ludwina R. “Luddy” Scheffler on May 2, 1939 in St. Benedict, MN and the couple made their home in New Prague. Ben farmed until 1966 and while farming, also worked at MN Valley Breeders Association Harvestore Division as Service Manager until 1981. He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, gardening, and playing cards with friends. For many years he was a St. Wenceslaus School volunteer in the lunch room and the play ground. Family was very important to him but truly the love of his life was his wife of 71 years.
Ben is survived by his 6 children, Cliff (& Joyce) Johannes of New Prague, Bonnie (& Leon) Geis of Leawood, Kansas, Clayton Johannes (& Deb Becker) of Jordan, Rita (& JC) Carson of Colorado Springs, CO, Linda (& Forrest) Lovley of Jordon, Cheryl (& Steve) Skluzacek of New Prague; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ewald Johannes and Ralph (& Bette) Johannes both of Cold Spring; sisters, Marie Pauly of Cold Spring, Dorothy Schmitz of Kimball, Theresa (& Jesse) Phillips of Cold Spring; sister-in-law, Florence Johannes of Watkins, MN. He is preceded in death by his wife, Luddy, on November 6, 2010; daughter, Donna Mae; brothers, Leonard, Nick, and Al Johannes; sister, Delores Steil.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague with Father Kevin Clinton officiating. Visitation will be held at Bruzek Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 – 8 PM and Wednesday morning from 7:30 – 9:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. Benedict Cemetery in St. Benedict, MN. Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Geis, Vaughn Lovley, Matt Lovley, Phillip Skluzacek, Kyle Becker, Cameron Schmitz, Drew Heffernon, Leo Shiker, Nick Geis. Lunch will follow at the KC Hall in New Prague. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to St. Wenceslaus School.
