Benjamin J. Minter

Benjamin (Ben) Minter, age 87, lifelong farmer of the township of Pulaski, WI passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, January 10 at home. He was born on June 23, 1935, in Dodgeville WI to Bernard and Anna (Cerny) Minter. After Ben's father passed away when Ben was just a teen, he had to take on the responsibility of helping his mother run the farm. He took on the major role at a young age of making the hog, chicken, and dairy farm successful. In 1956, Ben met Mary Otter at a dance, and they were married on September 14, 1957. They were parents to 9 children. In 1963, they purchased their first farm and were able to finally pursue their dream of a family farming operation. They continued to farm for several years until finally selling the farm to their son, Richard in 1997, and retiring. Ben, Mary, and family members along with several Amish builders constructed their dream log house just down the road in 2000 and they continued to reside there. Ben had many passions in life. Those included his large family first of all. Despite retiring from active farming, he continued to love getting out on his tractor or side by side to get into the fields and countryside that he so much loved. He prided himself for many years on a well kept acreage - he loved to mow! He also loved to attend farm auctions, where he would discuss various farming methods with other farmers from other areas of the state, comparing ideas. He was a 4-H project leader for years. He was an avid woodworker; in fact, he donated many of his projects to area fundraisers to raise money for charity. He loved getting into the vehicle with Mary or a couple of his children to travel to an Amish auction or just drive to visit friends. He and Mary always liked their regular weekly card games, either played at their house or a neighbor or friends. Ben could play a mean game of euchre! His love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was unsurpassed. He treasured each one. Ben offered many of his grandchildren their first driving lessons behind the wheel out in the middle of the field - always memorable. Whisker rubs for the little ones were always a treasured memory! Ben is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Mary (Otter) Minter and 9 children, Mike (Ellen) Minter, Susan (Pat) Paulick, Pat (Virginia) Minter, Richard Minter, Mark (Donna)Minter, Sandy (Ken) Brandt, Mary Jo Minter, Ben Minter, Jill (Gordon) Winter, 21 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 3 sisters, Patricia (John) Grzenia, Mary Grindeman, and Marilyn (Jerry) Swinehart, and 1 sister-in-law, Marcia Meudt, and two brothers-in law, August (Donna) Otter and Tom Otter, as well as many special nieces and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Anna, a stepfather, Virgil Imhoff, his mother and father-in-law, Louis and Loretta Otter, as well as many special other loved ones. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Avoca, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Avoca Village Hall 401 East Wisconsin Ave, Avoca, WI 53506, on Friday, January 13, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a rosary to be prayed at 3:45 PM. Visitation will also be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM Memorials may be directed to Avoca Fire Department and Avoca EMS or Second Harvest Food Bank. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.