Benjamin (Ben) Clyde McGee of Kasson, age 83, died peacefully at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester on March 27, 2018.

Ben was born on July 30, 1934 at home in Vetal, SD to Clyde and Rowena (Mansfield) McGee. Ben's family moved to Quimby, IA when he was ten years old where he graduated from Quimby High School. From there he went on to briefly attend Wayne State College in Wayne, NE.

He left college and began hitchhiking across the states until he enlisted in the Army in 1953. As a paratrooper, he served our country in California and Germany until his honorable discharge in 1957. In his later years, Ben had relished the idea of jumping one more time.

In 1966, Ben met and married Delores Smith (Ziegler) of Osawatomie, KS. Ben was a devoted and loving husband and father.

A natural craftsman at heart, Ben worked a variety of carpentry jobs in his lifetime until he retired in 2007. He enjoyed using his vast skills and knowledge to teach and help others. Ben had a lifelong love of fishing, baseball, football, puzzle picture framing, gardening, and being a great father to his four girls.

We will all miss his wisdom, sense of humor, generosity, warm hugs and blown kisses.

Ben is survived by his four daughters, Geri Smith of Waseca, Janice Smith (Michael Hurst) of Ontario, Canada, Dawn Alexander and Lora McGee both of Rochester; his four grandchildren; his eight great-grandchildren; and his nine brothers and sisters. He is preceded in death by his wife, Delores; his granddaughter, Angela; his parents, Clyde and Rowena McGee; his brothers, Neil and Boyd McGee; and his sister, Carol Fee.

The memorial service for Benjamin Clyde McGee will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 2, 2018, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with his brother, Deacon Newell McGee officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post 92.