Mark A. Benolken, age 62, of North Branch died September 18, 2022 at home after a courageous five year battle with leukemia.
Mark Allen Benolken was born on July 24, 1960 in Minneapolis and graduated from North Branch High School in 1978. After graduation, he worked as a meat cutter at Kinger’s in Rush City and then at More 4 and County Market in Cambridge for many years. During his final working years, he was employed by the Watson Company in Cambridge as a delivery driver. Mark really enjoyed smoking meat and making sausage and trying to create the perfect recipe. He was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman and found great pleasure in being on the lake in the early morning when the water was as smooth as glass. He particularly loved hearing the loons call and spent many an hour observing the wildlife around his home. During his life, Mark played a lot of cribbage and on February 16, 2019, he reached a milestone that all cribbage players hope for… A perfect 29 hand!
Mark is survived by his brothers, Michael Benolken (Zenny), Kevin Benolken (Billie Jo) and sister, Nancy Ziesmer, niece, Kalley Benolken, nephews, Matthew Benolken, Greg Benolken and Keith Benolken (Katherine) and special friend, Paula Amundson and her dog Annie. He was preceded in death by his brother, Terry Benolken and his parents, Lillian and Warren Benolken.
A private family Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date.
I am going to miss you immensely mark. You were a great friend and always enjoyed our visits at the barbershop. I will see you again someday.