Benjamin Antonio Balducke, age 72 of Sidney, MT passed away on June 27, 2015 at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT.
Ben was born on March 30, 1943 in Beach, ND the son of Frank and Leona (Holst) Balducke. The family purchased a ranch southwest of Sidney in 1943, where Frank and Leona raised nine children. Ben and his brother Tony purchased the river place in 1971. When Tony passed away in 2011, Ben and his nephew David continued the family partnership where they still farm and ranch today. Ben loved being outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman in his earlier years. His true love was farming and ranching. Honesty meant the world to Ben. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke up it was worthwhile to listen.
Ben is survived by his brother Billy Balducke of Sidney, MT; five sisters: Myrtle Brown, Lois McRae, Francie Mackin, all of Miles City, MT, Louise (Bud) Rehbein and Mary (Leon) Thrams, of Sidney, MT. Ben is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Ben was preceded in death by: his parents Frank and Leona; a sister Maebelle (Eugene) Staggs; a brother Tony and an infant brother.
Ben’s honest and kindred spirit will be missed by all and cherished forever.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home in Sidney. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015 at Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home in Sidney at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the family plot at Richland Memorial Park Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensondandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Interment with Full Military Honors
following funeral service
Monday July 6, 2015
Richland Memorial Cemetery
Sidney, MT
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Tom and Robin Rehbein says
Bennie, Tom highly respected you. He spoke often of you and the lessons he learned from you. He has always said of you that you were a quite and wise man. Tom wants you to know that he misses you terribly, and how blessed he feels to have had an uncle like you. “Good memories will always be with me. Enjoy paradise, I will join you one day soon. ” “Give grandma and grandpa a big hug from me. ” Love and great respect. Tom & Robin
Roger and Mindy Rehbein says
Uncle Benny, you were such a big part of our lives and we had so many great times with you. You may not have had a family and kids of your own but we always felt like we were your kids. You taught us more than you will ever know. We already feel an emptiness in our hearts that can never be filled by anyone but you, you will be missed more than you could ever know. We love you Uncle Benny, always have, always will. Roger and Mindy
Calvin Rehbein says
I don’t have a lot of memories of great uncle Bennie, but the memories that I do have are going to the ranch as a young boy and playing with David and hunting deer along the river and ranch land.
Calvin Rehbein
Anthony says
Hey ornery old coot! You will be missed. I didn’t know Benny as good as most but he was always fun to talk to and had a story. He will be missed even all the way down here in Texas. Rest in piece Bennie Probably not going to happen. Now that your were the pastures are green and sky is always blue it will likely be in an uproar. I will join you someday I hope.
Your Friend
Anthony
Connie Rehbein says
Ben was a tall and gentle man and always made me feel welcomed. Every time I would see him he would let me give him a hug and he asked about my sons after my divorce. I remember the fire pits out by the river with all the brothers, Kay and kids, the brandings at the home place. You will be missed.
Tami and Don Rogers says
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.