BEN HOFELDT obituary

CHINOOK Ben Hofeldt, 82, lifelong Blaine County rancher, died Monday, July 3, 2006, while fencing on his ranch east of Cleveland due to heart failure.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium of the Chinook High School. Burial will follow in Kuper Memorial Cemetery. Ben was born on Dec. 17, 1923, in Chinook to Henry and Alvin (Struve) Hofeldt. He attended the Maddox Rural School and graduated from Chinook High School. Ben was 18 when his dad died, and he and his brothers started running the family ranch. He married Ruth Olson in Chinook of June 16, 1945. Ben enjoyed his family and loved country music, horses, dogs and cows. He collected Charlie Russell painting and western art. Ben was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roy Hofeldt; four infant brothers; sisters, Marguerite Hofeldt and Christine Miller; and his wife, Ruth Hofeldt in 2001. Survivors include his sons, Rodney (Caroline) Hofeldt, Doug Hofeldt and Clark Hofeldt; sister, Hilda Drugge; brothers, Paul, Hans and Lawrence Hofeldt, all of Chinook; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials can be sent to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Foundation in Billings, Blaine County 4-H Foundation or one's choice. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.