Randy William Benson passed away unexpectedly on June 7, 2026, at the age of 47. Services will be held at Strike Life Tributes in Isanti, Minnesota, on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for lunch at Wintergreen’s in Isanti. All are welcome to join us. Food and beverages will be at each individual’s expense. Burial at Memorial Park South in Grand Forks, North Dakota, will take place at a later date.
Randy was born on February 24, 1979, in Alexandria, Minnesota. He grew up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and graduated from East Grand Forks Senior High School, where he participated in football, hockey, and wrestling. Following high school, Randy attended college in Staples, Minnesota, studying drafting.
Randy worked for several fencing companies throughout the years and most recently worked as a union fence installer for Action Fence.
In 2015, Randy met Jessica Hedalen, and in 2016 they moved to Isanti, where they purchased their home together.
Randy loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and was an amazing self-taught cook. While he enjoyed country music — especially old-school 90’s country — his all-time favorite band was KISS. He was also a huge sports fan, especially cheering on the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Vikings, and the UND Fighting Sioux (and you definitely knew better than to call them the Fighting Hawks around Randy).
In 2021, Randy and Jessica purchased land on Gun Lake in Palisade, Minnesota. In 2025, they began a new adventure at the lake: “The Shabin” — a shed transformed into a cabin. Randy was incredibly handy and skillful, turning the shed into a warm and livable space in under a year. Time spent at the lake with family and friends meant everything to him. Randy truly loved life and lived it to the fullest.
Randy also dearly loved his three dogs, Ava, Roxi, and Cash, who were an important part of his life and family.
Randy is survived by his fiancé, Jessica Hedalen; Jessica’s children, Kaitlyn Navratil (Jacob) and Devin Klatt; his mother, Cleo Benson; siblings Bryan Benson (Karen), Jared Benson (Chelsea), Kelly Benson (Eric), and Traci Litchy; nieces Jordan (Jacob), Karley (Cole), Abby and River; and nephews Jonah, Cullen, Lochlan, and Aiden.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Meiers, and his niece, Shya.
I will really miss him, he was a great guy.
So very sorry for the passing of Randy. How very sad for his family and friends. Was one of our sons’ good friends. Prayers to all of you for peace for your loss.
I love you and miss you so much.
I’m so very proud of you Randy. I couldn’t have asked for a better son. You are a great man. We have great memories together. I love you so much and miss you so much . I’m so sorry that this happened to you at such young age. Rest in peace, until we meet again. I love you
My sympathy to all of Randy’s family. I worked, as a caregiver, for Randy’s Grandpa Wally for many years and heard so much about Randy and his siblings from his Grandma Irene. Her love and pride was so very evident. Cleo, I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing a child is one of the hardest thing a mother faces Keeping you all in my prayers.