Benedict “Ben” H. Tuskowski, 94
It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of the tallest, most handsome, smartest, strongest, fastest, and oldest man in Shantytown; also known as Benedict “Ben” H. Tuskowski.
On December 27, 2022, at the age of 94, Ben passed away peacefully in his own home that he and his wife, Lorraine, built, in 1963.
Ben was born on March 21, 1928, on the family homestead to Joseph and Frances Tuskowski in the town of Bevent. He grew up on the family farm and at age 17 enlisted in the Army during WWII. After he was discharged, he moved to Milwaukee and worked various jobs, and would come home on the weekends.
He married his beautiful, brown-eyed wife, Lorraine Rutkowski, on September 16, 1950. Ben worked in Milwaukee where he and Lorraine moved to once married. There they had their children and in 1963, they moved back to Shantytown in their newly built home; the home Ben would proudly reside in for 60 years. On September 11, 2020, Lorraine passed away after 70 blissful years of love and devotion.
In his working years, Ben held numerous jobs and eventually retired from Drott/JI Case in 1984. After retirement, Ben and Lorraine had a hobby farm where they raised beef cattle, cut wood, gardened, and helped others.
Ben enjoyed hunting, drinking beer, never missed a card game, and enjoyed watching the Packers – even making bets with his children and loved taking their money! As a veteran, he was also active in the VFW Post 8068 in Elderon. Above all, Ben was a family man; he enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would race them down the driveway; after all, he was the fastest man in Shantytown!
Ben is survived by his daughters, Vicki (Tony) Karner and Sharon (Alan) Carlson; his grandchildren, Ashley (Lauren) Groshek, Shay Karner, Emery (Matt) Waldherr, Dream (Jason) Scott, and Styles (Megan) Carlson; and his great-grandchildren, Jordan, Jacob, Jarett, and Jolie Scott and Maythan Waldherr. He is further survived by his sister, Mildred Cisewski, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine, daughters Mary Jo and Cheryl, and son, Allen. He was looking forward to the day to reunite with them in heaven; he really missed them. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Tessie and Sally, and brothers, Chester, David, Myron, and Eddy, along with many nieces and nephews and numerous in-laws.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care received for both him and Lorraine from Compassus Hospice and St. Croix Hospice. Ben had many loving caregivers that cared deeply about him and his well-being, working especially hard to allow Ben to remain in his own home. Thank you, Dillon, Peggy, Mary, Terry, and Betty – the family really appreciated your hard work and dedication.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 7379 Church St., Custer, Wis. Rev. Mark Miller will officiate.
Family and friends are invited to gather and share memories at Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley St., Stevens Point, on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, from 9-10:30 a.m., at which time family and friends will be led to the church for Mass in a funeral procession.
Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery, with full military honors.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.