Ben was born in Lehigh, Iowa and graduated from Stratford (Iowa) High School in 1953. Ben is one of twelve siblings of David and Hilda (Daughters).

Ben was stationed in South Korea with the US Army shortly after the Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953. Ben earned the rank of Staff Sergeant before his discharge in 1955.

BenmovedtoBabbitt,Minnesota with his eldest brother, Gerald, to work for four decades in the Babbitt Peter Mitchell Taconite Mine. Shortly after moving, he married Carol Long of Lehigh, Iowa and raised a family. Ben and Carol were married 62 years before her passing in 2018. In the mine, Ben drove truck and most earthmoving equipment and worked in the carpentry department. Ben was an active member of the Woodland Presbyterian Church, Boy Scouts of America, and various youth athletics.

After retirement, Ben and Carol moved to Callender to again connect with friends and family in Iowa. They enjoyed traveling across the United States in their motorhome, which they made as a second home. They also traveled several times to Costa Rica to visit his son Thomas.

Ben is preceded in death by his wife, Carol (Long); father, David, mother Hilda (Daughters); son, Micheal; daughter, Lori Nelson; and 4 siblings.

Ben is survived by sons, Thomas and Dennis; 7 siblings; 6 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

Burial services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 8 at Babbitt Argo Cemetery.