Community Mourns Raymond L. Berens, 90, of Benson

Raymond L. Berens, a beloved member of the Benson community, passed away on December 30, 2023, at the age of 90. He spent his final days at Bethesda Grand in Willmar, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on January 6, 2024, at the Church of St. Francis in Benson, followed by interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on January 5 at the church, continuing one hour prior to the Mass on the following day. Funeral arrangements are managed by Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar.

Raymond was born on July 9, 1935, in Lake Lillian, Minnesota. He was the son of Edwin and Ethlyn (Knode) Berens. The family later moved to Benson, where Raymond attended school and graduated from Benson High School in 1954. He married his wife, Beverly June, on June 2, 1956, at the Church of St. Francis. Their marriage lasted 65 years and was blessed with eight children, 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Throughout his life, Raymond was deeply involved in various occupations. He began working on the family farm at a young age and started operating a dozer for field work in 1948. Raymond served in the National Guard from 1952 to 1958. He later founded Raymond Berens Construction, specializing in custom work with dozers and scrapers.

In addition to his construction business, Raymond drove trucks during the winter months starting in 1965. He worked for TCI of Benson, Lorenz hauling products, and Roy Berens Trucking, transporting livestock to St. Paul. In 1984, he and Beverly relocated to Colorado Springs, where he operated heavy equipment for Boyer Construction. Notably, he contributed to the final runway at Stapleton Airport before the construction of the new Denver airport.

After spending time in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Vista, California, Raymond retired in 1999. However, retirement proved to be a temporary state. He returned to work for Kennedy Excavating and continued to work part-time for several years. He later joined Commerford Construction during the summer months and returned to California in the winter.

Raymond is survived by his children: Susan (Tom) Anderson of Parkers Prairie, Daniel Berens of Benson, Cynthia (Bob) Reiman of Benson, James (Linda) Berens of Benson, Robin (Kimberley) Berens of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Karin Berens of Wichita, Kansas, Ruth Ann (Paul) Reiman of Benson, and Brent (Linette) Berens of Benson. His family also includes 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He is survived by several siblings, including Donald (Barb) Berens of St. Louis Park, Clarence “Swede” Berens of Benson, Shirley Vergin of Plato, Sharon (Duane) Bierbaum of Glencoe, Roger “Butch” Berens of Benson, and Donna Collins of Benson, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Beverly, and several siblings, including brothers Eugen and Vernon, and sister Marjorie.

Online condolences can be left at www.hafh.org. The family requests that memorials be made in lieu of flowers.