The funeral for Benjamin Thurn, Wishek, ND will be Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM at St. Luke Lutheran Church at Wishek, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Wishek, ND. Burial will be at St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery, Wishek, ND.

Benjamin Thurn, son of John F. and Pauline (Kaseman) Thurn was born March 17, 1927 near Venturia, ND. He grew up on his parent's farm and attended rural school. He worked on his parent's farm until his marriage. Ben married Leona Bader June 5, 1949 at the United Methodist Church of Wishek, ND. Ben and Leona moved to a farm 16 miles southwest of Wishek and farmed until they moved into Wishek in 1975. Ben would witch for water wells. He was a man known as a "Jack of all trades". He was knowledgeable with electrical items, wood working and other miscellaneous repairs. Ben ran his own business, "Thurn Repairs" while working full-time as a maintenance employee at the Wishek Nursing Home. Ben was a member of the St. Andrews Lutheran Church in rural Zeeland, ND. After they moved to town, Ben became a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wishek. Ben loved to get together with family and friends. He enjoyed playing games with family and friends. He loved fishing, singing and he was always there to lend a hand when people needed help. Ben was a member of the St. Andrews Choir and the German Choir. Ben was very proud of his homemade sausages and headcheese which he made every year with family.

Ben died Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Wishek Community Hospital, Wishek, ND. He was 83 years old.

Ben is survived by his wife of 61 years, Leona, Wishek, ND; two daughters, Diana (James) Ost and Betty (Robert) Ziebart both of rural Fredonia, ND; twin sons, Kerry (Tamie) Thurn and Jerry (Susan) Thurn both of Cozad, NE; twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rose Bader, Wishek, ND; Loraine (Walter) Meidinger, Bismarck, ND; two brothers, John (Elda) Thurn, Jamestown, ND; Edgar (Marlene) Thurn, Wishek, ND and many nieces and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Hilda Hildenbrand and Pauline Thurn; two brothers, Arthur Thurn and Ruben Thurn. Visit www.dahlstromfuneralservice.com to sign online guestbook and share memories. Dahlstrom Funeral Home of Wishek, ND entrusted with arrangements.