Benedict "Ben" Lapos, 71SobieskiNovember 24, 2016Benedict "Ben" Lapos, a 71 year old resident of Sobieski, MN passed away Thursday, November 24, 2016 at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski, MN, with Father Jimmy Joseph officiating. Burial will be at St. Stanislaus Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Friday and from 9 to 10 AM on Saturday at Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Parish Prayer Service at 6 PM on Friday.Benedict "Ben" Patrick Lapos was born on March 17, 1945 in Parker Township, MN to the late George and Rena (Kutz) Lapos. He grew up in Randall, MN and graduated from Little Falls Community High School in 1963. On October 16, 1965, he married Dianne Wimmer, his high school sweetheart, at St. James Church in Randall. Ben and Dianne first lived in Holdingford before buying a hobby farm in Swan River Township where they raised eight children. Ben was a welder at DCI Inc. for 43 years, where he was an active member of the Boilermakers Union.In his earlier years, Ben enjoyed spending time outdoors, visiting relatives and playing cards with neighbors. In his later years he became active in the Little Six Baseball Club, Sobieski Lions, and active in his church in numerous areas. He also found comfort in volunteering at the Care Center in Little Falls. Ben enjoyed taking bus trips, gardening and canning his produce, and taking walks while visiting with neighbors. He took great pride in his family by organizing holidays and get togethers, as well as the annual summer campovers. Ben will be remembered as a dedicated husband, proud father, beloved grandfather, and loyal brother.Ben is survived by his loving Children, Lori (John) Kokett, Cindy (Jimmy) Olson, Patrick (Kristy) Lapos and Michelle (Michael) Olson all of Little Falls, Julie (Jason) Kuchar of Pine Springs, MN, Kerry (Sheldon) Atwood of Grand Forks, ND, Andrew (Megan) Lapos of Marine on Saint Croix, MN, Stephen (Shelley) Lapos of Bemidji, MN, and 24 loving grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Bernadine Wimmer of Little Falls; siblings: George (Marilyn) Lapos of Little Falls, Ann Marie (Gerald) Adamski of Randall, MN, Mary Jo Lapos of Randall, MN; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.Ben was welcomed into his heavenly home by his wife, Dianne (2011); parents, George and Rena Lapos; father-in-law, Leo Wimmer; infant son, Brian; infant granddaughter, Joy; brothers, Donald, Ervin, and Lawrence Lapos; and sister-in-law, Darlene Lapos.