Bennie Trutwin

Benedict “Bennie” Trutwin, age 88, of Fifty Lakes, MN, passed away peacefully at home, on Friday, December 30, 2022. He was born to Nicholas and Elizabeth Trutwin on August 20, 1934, in Holdingford, MN.

In his early days, Bennie was a wheelsman on the Great Lakes for 7 years, served in the Army Reserves, operated a Phillip’s gas station, and worked at Gold Metal Flour in Minneapolis. He was a highly respected and well-known appliance repairman in St Paul for most of his career.  He built a cabin in Voyager Village, Wisconsin, where he spent many years sharing the up-north experience with family and friends. He later married Ardie in 1999, and they built their retirement home on the lake in the sticks of northern Minnesota.

Bennie very much enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, gardening, nature, rock hunting, dancing and of course spending time laughing with family and friends.  He will be remembered by his infectious smile and one of a kind laugh. Bennie will be greatly missed by everyone he touched.

Bennie leaves behind his wife, Ardith (Ardie) Buchite; children, Kristie Kanowitz (Mark) of Woodbury, MN; Michael Trutwin (Jill) of Lakeville, MN; Tammie Kavaloski (Chris) of Emerald WI; Jennettey Schneider (Nick) of Tucson, AZ; James Reed (Charlene) of Fifty Lakes, MN; Allan Reed of Ironton, MN; brother, Richard Trutwin (Delphine); sister, Betty Ann Czech; grandchildren; Nicholas, David, Jessica, Cassandra, Liberty, Kyle, Bret, Judith, Lillian, Annette and Alexandra; great grandchildren; Hailey, Keoni, Justin, Logan, Matiez, Ragnar, Ares, Loreli, Kyle, Rynae, James, Ross Jr., Holly, Michael, Bentley, Jeremiah, and Hailey; also his former wife Violet Bradley, mother of his children, (Kristie and Michael); and many nieces and nephews.

Service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Outing, MN on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM with visitation one hour prior.  Military honors will follow the service at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Emily, MN, followed by a church luncheon.