Raymond Benedett

Raymond Russell Benedett, 91 year old resident of Little Falls, MN formerly of St. Charles, MN passed away Wednesday, July 11 at his home surrounded by his family. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, July 18 at 11:00 A.M. at First United Church in Little Falls, MN with Rev. Damen Heitman officiating. Burial will be held at a later time. Friends may gather from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN and from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service on Wednesday at the church. Raymond R. Benedett was born October 28, 1920 in Utica, Winona County, Minnesota to the late Gerwin and Cora (Wendt) Benedett. He attended Bethany country school as a young boy and graduated from Lewiston High School. Ray worked with his dad on the farm and hauled cans of milk for a few years. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Bette" Oevering on October 5, 1946 at the Church of Nazarene in Winona, MN. The couple made their home in St. Charles, MN for 35 years, where Ray worked at the St. Charles creamery for eight years as a butter maker. He then went to work for Culligan of St. Charles for 25 years. The couple moved to Little Falls, MN to be close to their family and son, Keith. Ray worked for Culligan in Little Falls, MN for 16 years. Ray enjoyed square dancing and was a caller for 40 years in St. Charles, MN, Fountain City, WI, Little Falls, MN and Brainerd, MN. He was a guest caller in Southeast, MN and the Twin Cities. He played the tenor saxophone and clarinet in the Bob White Orchestra and the Clem Klein Old Tyme Band for a few years. Ray was a member of the Lindy Good Sams and International Good Sams, Masonic Lodge for 50 years, Eastern Star for 50 Years; He was member of the caller's clinic in the Southeast Region. The couple enjoyed traveling to Arizona for 19 years. He treasured his time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ray and Bette attended First United Church in Little Falls, MN, where he was active with the choir. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Bette of Little Falls, MN; son, Keith and wife, Cindy Benedett of Baxter, MN; sister, Joyce Lyon of Moose Lake, WA; grandchildren, Nick Benedett and wife, Heather and Megan Benedett and fiance, Kurt Bistodeau; great-grandchildren, Mya Benedett and Amelia Benedett. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerwin and Cora Benedett; brother, Lavern Benedett who died at the age of twelve.